The Negative Impact of Toxic Positivity
Channel: Stroke Assaulter
Date: 15/04/2019

The conventional view of emotions as good or bad, positive or negative, is rigid. And rigidity in the face of complexity is toxic. We need greater levels of emotional agility for true resilience and thriving.  When we push aside difficult emotions in order to embrace false positivity, we lose our capacity to develop deep skills to help us deal with the world as it is, not as we wish it to be.

Instead of demanding we talk of good things only If you think positive thoughts, power through that which ails you by countering it with all the things you have to be grateful for, you will come out the other side more balanced, healthier, happier. But the trouble with positivity culture is that it’s toxic to a great number of people. Hence the term “toxic positivity.”

Research on emotional suppression shows that when emotions are pushed aside or ignored, they get stronger. Psychologists call this amplification You might think you’re in control of unwanted emotions when you ignore them, but in fact, they control you. Internal pain always comes 
When we label our emotions accurately, we are more able to discern the precise cause of our feelings. And what scientists call the “readiness potential” in our brain is activated, allowing us to take concrete steps. But not just any steps, the right steps for us. Because our emotions are data. Our emotions contain flashing lights to things that we care about.


When we paint over our true emotions we make it difficult to create and foster honest, open relationships. 

Encourage yourself and others to be honest in defining how we are feeling.

Acknowledgement of the truth allows us to consciously choose a response

Don’t force positivity on yourself or others. Work on validating all emotions.When we do, we increase our ability to to constructively deal with situations as they are, in a way we truly are.

The decision of emotional courage is yours to take. To help someone, though, ask them precisely and clearly what they need. Don’t make assumptions and don’t apply your personal fixes to them.




If you notice the signs and symptoms of a stroke in your or someone around you

Facial Droop
Slurred Speech
Stuttering
Inappropriate Word Usage for situation or context
Inability to stand
General Weakness or Weakness to one Body Side
Inability to properly and evenly Smile

Please Immediately place that person in a position of comfort and Dial 911

www.heartandstroke.ca/FAST

#IWillAgain   #UpAgainAfterStroke  #StrokeSurvivor #Strokeunder50 #FightStroke #StrokeAwareness

Email me directly at strokeassaulter@gmail.com

Here are the links to the research articles I used for this video:

Toxic Positivity Is Destroying Your Mental Health

https://www.sammichespsychmeds.com/toxic-positivity-is-destroying-your-mental-health/

A Helpful Chart to Explain the Difference Between Support and 'Toxic Positivity'

https://themighty.com/2019/02/toxic-positivity-support/

The Tyranny of Relentless Positivity

https://www.mindful.org/real-gift-negative-emotions/

The Terror of Toxic Positivity: To hell with “Good vibes only!”

https://medium.com/the-post-grad-survival-guide/the-terror-of-toxic-positivity-95abb8d08f9