I find there are times that I am so busy or stressed that when I look back on my week I can barely remember what had happened. If I can remember anything it is often the most negative events of my week. However, it's not that I had an absolutely horrible week, instead I just don’t take the time to focus on the positive moments. Thinking about this I realized this behavior is completely backwards. The good, enjoyable moments are the ones that lower the stress and give the body a much-needed chance to relax. They also help make the more difficult moments more manageable. Taking the time to pause and enjoy the good moments seems just as essential as resolving the negative. While it is something I still have to put effort into remembering to do, I can feel the positive effects this practice is having in my life. I encourage everyone to take some time each week to slow down during the good times, and to take the time to reflect and just enjoy. After all, what’s wrong with being happy?
Kira Redig
Kira is a master’s level practicum intern from The Adler School of Professional Psychology. She currently leads an Art Therapy group on Thursday evenings. If you would like to learn more about the group or Art Therapy in general, please call her at (773) 929-6262 x13.
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Scientists now know that our brains are wired to experience negative events more intensely than positive events. The anterior cingulated cortex, a part of the brain that mediates the limbic system and the neo-cortex, triggers the amygdala when a negative event occurs. The purpose of this negativity bias is to augment our learning. In "How We Decide," author Jonah Lehrer noted being aware of this bias is the only way to compensate for this.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kira for the invitation for us to bring awareness to positive daily events!
Linda Winter, JD, MA, LCPC
Psychotherapist at The Awakening Center
Great reminder to take time to see the positive!
ReplyDeleteReminds me of the saying, "Stop and smell the roses." We're so busy, we forget that life is meant to be enjoyed. We don't get to come back and redo it later.
ReplyDeletei need to remind myself how grateful i am for things in life because some people may have it worse off than us.
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