Creating positivity

Creating positivity

Everybody knows someone who is painfully positive. No matter what is going on in their lives they still approach it with child like enthusiasm and a huge smile on their face. We also all know that person who is the exact opposite. They could win the top prize in the weekday lotto and complain that it didn’t pay very well. In fact of you put these two people into exactly the same situation (stimulus) they would react very differently to each other, how is this possible? Aren’t we all wired the same?

The answer may come down to a thought addiction.

Now I know what you’re thinking, don’t be ridiculous. How could you possibly be addicted to a thought!

Well as it turns out it is exactly the same as any other addiction. When you have a thought (be it positive or negative) it fires off certain pathways in your brain. If over time you continually fire the same pathway it will become sensitized. This means that more neurons form along this pathway and it also fires off easier, hence making it easier to have these thoughts again in the future.

Because these pathways are being continually fired we also become addicted to the chemicals being released in our brain. This means that not only are these thoughts more easily entertained, we also actively seek them to feed our addiction, just like a smoker seeks nicotine to set off the nicotinic receptors in the brain.

The good news is we can choose which thoughts we are addicted to.

You can sensitise positive pathways by using positive self-talk, affirmations and by focusing on what you have achieved. This sets off and sensitises the pathways in your brain that release of dopamine and serotonin (the feel good chemicals). Not only do these chemicals make you feel better, they also switch off the stress response in your body which has been linked to many chronic diseases, including strokes, cancers, diabetes and heart attacks.

Conversely when you think negative thoughts, bitch about others or let fear rule your life you are feeding your negative thought addiction and setting yourself up for a life of negativity, fear and poor health.

Remember that you are still being “real” and you are still recognising the “truth” of the situation and you are still dealing with it. It is just that now you are consciously choosing how you want to perceive that situation and reacting to it in a much more positive (and useful) fashion.

So choose to create a positive health addiction and you will not only be happier but healthier too!

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Don’t worry, he happy!