Toxic positivity

All of us are very aware of how negativity impacts our physical and mental health. But did you know positivity can be toxic too? What ?no way, right? Well, it is true. Continue reading to find out how”it could be worse” mantra can be damaging to mental health.

What is toxic positivity?

Positivity becomes toxic, used in inappropriate situation. If you make yourself focus on feeling positive emotions only, no matter what, You are telling to discount and discredit negative feelings. Positivity is toxic when you are feeling down but rejecting your actual feelings because they are not positive emotions.

As life goes on, we will feel both positive and negative emotions because these are natural human emotions. Which we must allow ourselves to feel. Toxic positivity makes you avoid difficult emotions. Because you do not let yourself feel anything but positive, even your dog has just died. You are sad and distorted and crying but reject all of these and say put a silver lining on your true feelings.

How toxic positivity impacts mental health

I agree that having a positive mindset is crucial for well-being. Likewise, negative feelings are there to serve us, too. You can not avoid negative emotions by staying positive. Negative thoughts are a part of human mind as well. Toxic positivity makes you deny any acknowledgment of stress or negative experience.

“Positive vibes” only should not be anyone’s mantra. Because then you will reject your own emotions and your own feelings. This build up of feelings and emotions will hinder your mental health. You can not stay positive when life hits you on the face right away. You will feel positive after dealing with your actual situation.

Examples (and what to say instead)

You can stop toxic positivity once you learn what is it. When your friend tells you she found out her husband cheated on her, and she is angry and sad, and you tell her to look on the bright side that she found out now than later. By saying this, you are discounting her emotions. Sending a message to uninvite to share her pain. Instead, let her know you are there for her as she cries. Let her cry and say you feel sad too.

Another example is; When you are having a difficult day and struggling with negative emotions, do not tell yourself to be thankful for what you have. Instead, talk to yourself, and allow yourself to feel whatever that is. In doing this, you value your own feelings. Which will enhance your self-esteem.

Life is about finding balance in positive outlook while recognizing negative experiences. To maintain over all well-being, you need to avoid toxic positivity.

Develop empathy for others and compassion for yourself

To stay healthy, both emotionally and physically, do yourself a reality check. Pay attention to any sign of toxic positivity in your self talk, as well as talking to others. Life gets hard at times and all this human experience can feel overwhelming. It is not nice for me or you to throw toxic positivity at people who are already suffering.

We want to feel heard and empathy of closed one, to start feeling okay. Good vibes are fine when appropriate. Human experience is packed full of many ups and downs and having someone tell us things happens for a reason, don’t worry, is even more frustrating. How can you tell a grieving mother to think positive?

Conclusion

Every emotion and feelings or thoughts, the capacity to endure and tolerate makes us human. Positive and negative emotional experience is necessary for well-being. However, too much of both is dangerous for mental health.

Hiding our pain or rejecting difficult emotions with toxic positivity will only damage our physical, emotional and mental health.

You can have a positive mindset without discarding the emotional needs. May it be to cry or laugh, genuine feelings must be felt. This is the way to make space for growth and self-efficacy.