Why is Toxic Positivity Dangerous and risky?

Toxic positivity pushes people to only focus on positive emotions, even in the face of great hardship. This can intensify underlying negative feelings and make it harder to cope. Positivity-thinking is healthy, but non-stop positivity is unattainable. If you’re struggling with toxic positivity, remember that we all have ups and downs. Honor your emotions and process them to achieve better well-being.

Why is it dangerous and risky?
A generally positive outlook is not harmful. However, a person who believes that they must only be positive may ignore serious problems or not address underlying mental health issues.

Similarly, people who demand positivity from others may offer insufficient support or make loved ones feel stigmatized and judged.

Some of the risks of toxic positivity include:

Communication : Every relationship has challenges. Toxic positivity tries people to ignore these challenges and focus on the positive. It can destroy communication and the ability to solve relationship problems.

Low self-esteem : Toxic positivity forces people to ignore their negative emotions, even though stifling them can make them feel even more powerful. When a person is unable to feel positive, they may feel as though they are failing.

Isolation and stigma : People who feel pressure to smile in the face of adversity may be less likely to seek support. They may feel isolated or ashamed of their feelings, deterring them from seeking help. Stigma can deter a person from seeking mental health treatment.

Suppressed Emotions :
Several psychological studies show us that hiding or denying feelings leads to more stress on the body and/or increased difficulty avoiding the distressing thoughts and feelings .

It’s important to acknowledge the reality of our emotions by verbalizing them and moving them out of our bodies. This is what keeps us sane, healthy and relieves us of the tension caused by suppressing the truth. Once we honor our feelings, we embrace all of ourselves, the good, the bad and the ugly. And accepting ourselves just as we are is the path to a robust emotional life.

That’s why toxic positivity is dangerous. Don’t forget to love yourself. Happy reading! 🙂