The dangers of Toxic Positivity: When “stay positive” isn’t always good advice

WEB DESK: In a world where staying positive is often emphasised, experts warn against the pitfalls of toxic positivity. While positivity can be beneficial, excessive and forced positivity may have adverse effects on mental and physical well-being.

What Is Toxic Positivity?

Toxic positivity involves avoiding negative thoughts and feelings, 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.

Causes of toxic positivity

Many people adopt toxic positivity due to societal expectations and conditioning. The desire to make others feel happy can lead to the unintentional promotion of toxic positivity.

The Impact of toxic positivity on health

Toxic positivity can have several negative effects on health and well-being:

Suppressing true feelings

Toxic positivity encourages individuals to suppress their genuine emotions, making it harder to cope with strong feelings in the long run.

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Shame and guilt

Toxic positivity implies that negative feelings are wrong, leading to feelings of guilt and shame.

Hiding authenticity

It discourages individuals from being their authentic selves, invalidating their normal human experiences.

Isolation

Encouraging people to ignore their worries and concerns can lead to isolation and a lack of support from others.

Passivity

Believing that maintaining a positive facade is the only way to overcome challenges can result in passivity and a failure to take necessary actions.

Physical health

Toxic positivity can harm physical health, leading to increased stress and potential health issues.

Instances of toxic positivity

Toxic positivity is pervasive, and you’ve likely encountered it in your own life or observed it in others’ responses to situations. Here are some phrases commonly associated with toxic positivity:

“Look on the bright side!”

“Everything happens for a reason.”

“Don’t worry!”

“It’ll all work out.”

“Just stress less!”

“You’ll get over this.”

“This too shall pass.”

“At least …”

These phrases may initially appear kind or supportive when directed at someone experiencing distress. However, in certain contexts, they can downplay the significance of an individual’s feelings or struggles.

Dealing with toxic positivity

To combat toxic positivity, experts recommend:

Acknowledging your emotions

Allow yourself to feel all emotions, both positive and negative. Talking about your feelings can help reduce their intensity.

Validating others’ feelings

Respect other people’s emotions, even if they differ from your own

It’s okay not to be okay

Give yourself permission to rest and accept imperfection without guilt.

Recognizing the complexity of emotions

Understand that emotions are not mutually exclusive, and it’s possible to feel multiple emotions simultaneously

Being realistic

Start with small, achievable steps rather than attempting radical changes when experiencing emotional distress.

Identifying toxic positivity messages

Be aware of overly simplistic messages that dismiss genuine emotions.

Critical thinking on social media

Approach social media content with caution, as it often presents a filtered version of reality.

Toxic positivity may seem well-intentioned, but it can have adverse effects on mental and physical health. Recognising and addressing toxic positivity is essential for overall well-being.