What is Toxic positivity? ‘7' signs to let you know if you are its victim.

We are always asked to be positive, think positive, and do positive. Positivity is considered one of those values which helps us during difficult times. 

But very few know that even positivity could sometimes put you in those difficult situations. That’s what is called “Toxic Positivity”.

Everything more than required is harmful and that same goes with positivity.
WHAT IS TOXIC POSITIVITY:

It is quite strange to know that positivity itself has a negative side. But what do we mean by toxic positivity? Here’s a simple definition for you: 

         

                           
In another way, we can say, we become the victim of toxic positivity when we try to disguise our real feelings like sadness, anxiety, hurt, depression with a positive attitude.

To know accurately if a person is it’s a victim or not, I have discussed 7 signs for the same.
Suppressing emotions for too long will give harmful results. I will also let you know how it becomes harmful for us.

 7 SIGNS OF TOXIC POSITIVITY: 
This is something very unfamiliar to many. But to know if you are a victim of this negative side of ‘positive thinking’, here are some signs you must observe ; 

.1 Ignoring or masking their true emotions. That person is not letting her or his real emotions out. They are suppressing it inside. 

2. Neglecting others bad treatment to you (hurtful comments, actions ) because you think it’s negative to look at that side of a person and you only want to see positive in a person.

                                   
3. Brushing off the things that are making you sad, angry, hurt thinking ‘it is what it is.’

4. You may not be able to tell your opinions about something or someone, for according to you it will leave negative vibes. 

5. Whenever feeling sad, you try to divert your mind to do positive work like reading articles, listening to podcasts. (Way too often)

6. Feeling guilty for what you feel. 

7. You don’t feel good when you talk or think negatively because you are too much concerned about positivity. 

Here I must tell you, if even 3 to 4 of the above signs can be seen in a person then he is a victim of toxic positivity. 

HOW IT IS HARMFUL TO OUR HEALTH:
By forcing a positive outlook in situations where you must be feeling and expressing your true emotions encourages you to be silent about your struggles.

 
Psychological studies reveal that ignoring feelings leads to more stress on body and mind. You can understand this experiment.

A swimming pool was filled with ice water. 20 adults were asked to participate in the experiment. Out of 20, first half was asked to express their feelings when they get underwater and the other half to hide and act as if everything is alright. During the experiment, the stress level of the participants was measured
 ( heart rate, pulse, eye’s pupil ). After the experiment, first half’s- those who can express their emotions stress level was compared to the second half’s- those who can’t express their emotions. 

The stress level of the second half was twice the first half. This makes it clear why hiding emotions is not a good choice. 

                                       
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO AVOID IT:
We, humans, are made of flaws. You have to understand it is okay to have certain emotions. Not everything can be put to right. 

Avoiding or ignoring certain feelings doesn’t mean they are not there. It will be there in you unless you feel it and decide to let it go. 
 
Don’t hide your emotions. The more you’ll hide it the more it will get piled up and will burst someday. 

One thing that you have to be sure about is what you are feeling is it worth to avoid or you must not waste your time on it. Sometimes we are right about letting go of things that hurt us but every time doing so is not beneficial.

 
                                    
You can take your friend’s help, who understands you the most. Ask him to see the above- mentioned signs in you if you are in doubt. Other's opinion will make it more clear to you. 

Choose what is right, who is right for your health then feel your true emotions.