Toxic positivity is a condition when a person demands himself or others to prioritize positive thoughts and reject negative thoughts. It's good to build a positive perspective, but if negative thoughts are also avoided, this can turn out to be bad.
Someone who faces toxic positivity will avoid negative emotions such as disappointment, anger, or sadness about an event. Rejection of these negative emotions in the long term has a negative effect on mental health, such as feeling sad, anxious, and depressed for a long time. Negative emotions are actually important to feel and share with others so that a person feels better.
Many people need motivation, encouragement, and positive encouragement to be happy. However, it turns out that the positive encouragement that is spoken does not always correspond to reality. Sometimes it is exaggerated to feel calmer. A compliment can be thrown as a form of denial.
Have you ever said 'result never betray its process’ or 'all will be beautiful in time' These two sentences are a form of generalization, even though they are experiencing the harsh reality, failure and heartbreak. This condition is known as toxic positivity.
The characteristics of a person with Toxic Positivity as follows:
- Concealing the truth or being dishonest, both to oneself and to others.
- Surrender and take it for granted.
- Say positive sentences when conditions are bad with the aim of “must-have” positive thoughts.
- Reject negative emotions, such as disappointment, hurt, anger and discomfort.
- Comparing yourself with others.
Looking at the characteristics above, we may have experienced similar situations either directly or indirectly. However, if you or someone in your environment is one of those who have toxic positivity, it is important to guide them so that this trait does not drag on. Because this also has a bad impact on yourself and others.
Impact on someone with Toxic Positivity:
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Trigger stress
Toxic positivity makes a person tend to think about many things in order to suppress the negative emotions that exist. He will become overthinking because of the collection of things that are on his mind.
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Anxiety
The tendency to want to look always positive, trying to look good too much will make someone who has toxic positivity tend to be more anxious and anxious. In his mind there will always be fear if he doesn't show his best.
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Having mental health disorders
If someone with a full mind, always restless all the time, of course it will be very easy to experience stress to damage mental health.
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Feel the most right
Some people who have a tendency to toxic positivity they want to be considered the most positive figure in their environment.
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Difficult to socialize
Having a toxic positivity sometimes makes the person unable to be honest with themselves and even with others. Even though sometimes a problem is better shared with someone in order to get a solution.
Several psychological studies have shown that hiding or denying feelings causes stress levels to increase. To be honest with yourself requires letting out or expressing negative emotions. It makes our bodies more sane, healthy and free from the tension caused by the suppression of truth, say the two specialists who study trauma, anxiety and depression.
Toxic positivity also affects relationships with other people. When a person isolates his feelings, hides his emotions, he will distance himself from other people. The best advice from experts, to be a healthy human being, you need to be aware of yourself first. Instead of thinking all things have a positive side but not being honest. It's better to keep emotions in balance to feel happy.
Reference :
Catalino, L. I., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2011). A Tuesday in the life of a flourisher: The role of positive emotional reactivity in optimal mental health. Emotion, 11(4), 938–950.
Fredrickson, B. L. (2013). Positive emotions broaden and build. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 47(1), 53.
https://www.gramedia.com/best-seller/toxic-positivity/
https://journal.sociolla.com/lifestyle/toxic-positivity-dapat-memengaruhi-kesehatan-mental
Quintero, S., Long, J. 2020. Toxic Positivity: The Dark Side of Positive Vibes.
WHO. 2020. World Mental Health Day.
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