What is toxic positivity?
Holding a perpetually positive outlook can invalidate your feelings and those of people around you.
Toxic positivity comes from the belief that, despite an individual’s emotional pain or challenging situation, they should still adopt a positive outlook. It denies, invalidates and delegitimises emotions that aren’t ‘happy’ and includes phrases such as “turn that frown upside down”, “it could be worse” or, a social media favourite, “good vibes only”.
Studies have shown that suppressing feelings can lead to increased stress, anxiety and depression in the long run. More effective is trying not to label emotions as ‘good’ or ‘bad’, instead recognising that it’s okay to feel sad, angry or frustrated, and remembering that emotions will eventually pass.
Read more:
- Want to be happy? Stop trying to be
- Why does drinking alcohol trigger my anxiety?
- Is the dark really making me sad?
- Red flags: Is there any science to spotting a toxic relationship?
Asked by: Ian McMahon, Scunthorpe
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Authors
Stephanie holds a Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences and a Master’s in Science Communication, and has an interest in health and wellbeing.
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