The Positivity Blog

This is really interesting - medical science has found that chronic complaining actually shrinks the part of your brain critical to problem solving!

"And here’s the kicker: complaining damages other areas of your brain as well. Research from Stanford University has shown that complaining shrinks the hippocampus -- an area of the brain that’s critical to problem solving and intelligent thought. Damage to the hippocampus is scary, especially when you consider that it’s one of the primary brain areas destroyed by Alzheimer’s."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/repor...ticle31893948/

So wow! We've always known that continual negative thinking is bad for you, mentally, emotionally and physically, but we didn't know how bad or how directly destructive it is!

To follow up - if negativity such as chronic complaining physically damages our brain, then it's logical to assume that positivity must enhance it...
Or, if not, that positivity must at least protect our brains from the destructive effects of negativity because you can't be positive and negative at the same time. So whenever you are being positive, you are halting or preventing the destructive effects of negativity, and as the article points out, each attitude can become habit through practice.

I do believe there's room for pragmatism, but pragmatism is not negativity - it doesn't just focus on problems. It focuses on both problems and potential solutions (along with coping mechanisms, being prepared, and preventing problems before they occur).

Interesting article. Maybe this is what Rhys was getting at starting this thread

I dont feel good about myself when I whine, even if it's just to whine about a movie or tv show. I feel the need to atleast try to finish on a positive, and I dont hang about with incessant whiners eg. when I lived in another country expats would congregate and whine about the negatives. It feeds on itself and everyone would join in. I don't mean just someone going through a hard time and needing to blow off steam but the perpetual wet blankets. It actually makes me feel physically unwell. And I love the comment about pity parties. I can't stand the types who want to pull out the 'Oh poor you' rather than give some positive feedback. My inlaws did that when I had cancer and I had to block them out because they were bursting my positivity bubble.

I think this is why this thread is so great so you can focus on even small things to be grateful for, no matter how trivial they might seem. My coffee machine isn't working this morning. No biggy. I found an old moka pot and made one on the stove. Woooo.

OK here's an example of how I shift my thinking. I pinched a nerve in my back a few days ago. Rather than focus on that I checked my diary to see when my next physio appointment is. It's in an hour and a half. W00t. I'm on a program for something else and my therapist isn't supposed to treat something new on that program, but she's so sweet she'll have an oopsy moment and the laser will slip momentarily but long enough to give me some relief. That thought makes me laugh so automatic endorphin bonus. No one ever taught me this; it;s just something I do and have done for a long time so I dont get bogged down. I'm not even conscious of doing it but dwelled on the topic after reading your article. Glass full -v- glass empty approach. Or the pony under the xmas tree.
Twin boys went running downstairs on xmas morning. One started crying because he noticed pony poop on the presents. The other one started screaming WE GOT A PONY?????

Ofcourse when poop hits the fan, I will still offload. I dont think there's anything wrong with that unless it becomes a daily thing about every little thing in life.

Coincidentally my physio brought up positivity and health today so I told her about your link. She went to a lecture about this very thing as part of her ongoing education and thought it would be a fuzzy new age psycho babble tree huggers lecture but was pleasantly surprised all references were medical. She has kept a gratitude log ever since and had a goal to find 3 things every day to write down. She also said the act of writing or typing is important because it cements it in the brain.

At first she found 3 a day to be a challenge but just as negativity feeds on itself so does positivity. I agree with this. Doesn't matter how irrelevant what you're being grateful for might seem.

So going to my appointment in peak traffic I hit a 40km school zone. Rather than stress I might be running late I enjoyed how relaxing it was not to speed to keep up with other frantic drivers

I'm grateful you're here, Dani.

I like that you're here cap. We don't always agree and that's a positive as well but we always move on to what's next. You're going through a rough spot now but you still come across as positive. All the best matey.

4th quadrant done of my periodontal program. This needlephobe got through all 4 without crying. I love my periodontist. Lovely gentle kind and funn6 man. So chuffed with myself.

For the lads in the positivity blog, I hope this gives you a chuckle. Very cute.

http://www.the-postillon.com/2016/12...pecialist.html

I haven't been on for a while as have been busy with university, but I have finally got my Herzog essay handed in. Just one more assignment left, and I am ready for graduation!

I was getting quite worried abut my Herzog assignment, but I am happy that I have finally got it finished to what I think is a good standard.

How is everyone? I have had a nice past few days with my friends and I had a shift at my workplace for the first time in a while which I quite enjoyed. I plan to be back in the library tomorrow to make a start on my final assignment.

Happy Monday, or Sunday depending on where you are in the world, Rhys.

Happy Sunday from me.

It is Monday here in about 35 minutes.

Monday all day for me, and a beautiful day it is. Blue skies, a bit of chill in the air, a stunning Autumn Day.

4 seasons in one day today. Perfect.

Don't want this to turn into an extension of the MoFo Support Group thread - but my good news is my landlords are giving me until the end of July to move out. I appealed to them in a letter with my last rent check explaining some of the difficulties I'm facing. And, based on my 9 years as an exemplary tenant, they granted me some extra time. This is a blessing because now I don't have to feel I'm in a complete panic and I can work at a more steady pace to prepare.

Due to my nature, I can already feel the immediate pressure being off leading to procrastination - but that's up to me to be aware of and address while I have the time. (Writing the issue out here may help with that = a little self-awareness / mental-feedback type of thing.)

Please feel free to remind me to get my butt in gear and keep it there.

Great news, Cap. I was wondering about your situation yesterday.

I also understand the procrastination thing. I know the tomorrow book well.

All the best with your search and hopefully they give you a lovely reference.

The first 15 days of May here in Connecticut have been really chilly. Maximum of 60 F. And every day a very cold wind. So cold it blew my hat off today. But good news: each day now is exponentially getting warmer with a predicted high of eightieish on Thursday. I can wear my new summer shorts with a tee shirt & flip flops.

15c here now and bright blue sky. I would be deliriously happy if it stayed like this until spring. For now I will just enjoy it.