Pollyanna Principle
By Simone Warner, 12th Sep 2011 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutHealthMind & SpiritPositive Thinking
Can being like the children's character Pollyanna with her postive thinking, make you more healthy, wealthy and wise? Or is it just another glib sound bite to sell books, DVDs and courses?
Blind optimism?
Pollyanna was a lovely character in a 1913 children's book by Eleanor H. Porter who always saw the positive in things. But can that work in the real world? Or is that blind optimism?
There’s a lot of discussion about the benefits of positive thinking, mainly in anecdotes of how thinking positively encouraged someone to get better from an illness or sort out their finances, but is there any research to back up the claims that thinking positive really helps?
Positivity Research
Research done by Barbara Fredrickson, a UNC (University of North Carolina) Professor of Psychology showed how positive emotions can increase our ability to manage adversity.
In her book, ‘Positivity’, Professor Fredrickson explains the importance of balancing positive and negative emotions to events in our daily life. It is almost impossible to completely eradicate negative emotions but Professor Fredrickson says that positivity should be seen as a rolling system of ‘micro emotions’ such as joy, gratitude or awe that might only be experienced for only a few seconds or minutes but taken together will lead to a sense of well being.
The Tipping Point
As long as an individual has a consistent number of these each day they are less likely to hit the Tipping Point where negative ‘micro emotions’ out-weigh the positive ones.
It’s important to remember that small things count as much as big ones. So enjoying a joke or that first cup of morning coffee or putting on your favourite shoes is still relevant on your positive score card. It’s all very similar to a living in the moment philosophy where you note the good and the bad and aren’t overwhelmed by either.
Managing Adversity
When we speak about managing adversity we must assume this can cover a whole raft of difficulties. Health, finances and low self esteem come to mind. If positive thinking can help with any of those, it sounds a pretty good idea.
So get some positive, Pollyannaish micro moments going on each day and start testing what you can achieve next!
Comments
12th Sep 2011 (#)
There is always a market for rose colored glasses :-}
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13th Sep 2011 (#)
I've got a pair of rose colored glasses and sometimes it helps me get through the day! :)
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21st Oct 2011 (#)
I enjoyed this article with its refreshing but realistic look at positive thinking..Nice work, Simone..
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22nd Oct 2011 (#)
Thank you Songbird!
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