Positive thinking, or an optimistic attitude, is the practice of focusing on the good in any given situation. But did you know sometimes excessive and forced positivity may have negative and damaging effects on mental and physical well-being?
Toxic positivity involves avoiding negative thoughts and feelings, and pretending that everything is fine even when it’s not.
It creates an unrelenting pressure to maintain a happy and positive facade, regardless of the circumstances.
Many people adopt toxic positivity due to societal expectations and conditioning.
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Negative impact of toxic positivity
Toxic positivity can have several negative effects on health and well-being:
- Suppressing true feelings
- Shame and guilt
- Hiding authenticity
- Isolation
- Passivity
- Negative impact on physical health
How can you deal with toxic positivity
To combat toxic positivity, experts recommend:
- Acknowledge your emotions
- Validate others’ feelings
- It’s okay not to be okay
- Be realistic
- Identify toxic positivity messages
