Psychology
The Power of Positivity
And why it’s good for your mental and physical health
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What would you think if I told you that a simple smile is like a superpower for our well-being? Or that faking a smile can actually change our mood, even if we aren’t really feeling it? But like everything else, positivity is best in moderation.
A fake smile can trick our brain into believing we’re actually happy, which can increase real happy feelings that are caused by a release of neuropeptides. These are a type of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin — they are the “feel good” chemicals in the brain that help elevate our mood along with a bunch of other positive functions in our mind and body. Now, that’s a great example of fake it till you make it.
But positive thinking isn’t just about ignoring all the bad stuff in your life and pretending that everything is all rainbows and unicorns when it isn’t. That’s a form of toxic positivity. As Associate Professor, Anthony Grant, from the University of Sydney warns in the article, “positive thinking in place of other treatment can be harmful.” He goes on to say, “In…
