Our attitudes affect our creativity, health, and well-being. When researchers Erika Rosenberg and Paul Ekman studied the connection between angry facial expressions and myocardial ischemia, an abnormal cardiac response in heart disease patients, they found, as expected, that hostile “Type A” behavior is toxic to our hearts. But they also found something else–an equally strong connection between unhealthy cardiac reactions and phony smiles.
We pay a price for being too nice. A phony smile may fool others, but cannot fool our bodies. Rosenberg’s and Ekman’s research shows that pretense—repressing our frustrations beneath an acquiescent smile–puts us under excessive stress.
Dr. Barbara Fredrickson
Real positive emotions, on the other hand, help us become healthier, happier, and more creative. As psychologist Barbara Fredrickson explains in her book, Positivity, love, joy, elevation, and gratitude strengthen our immune systems, making us physically healthier, while broadening our vision and building our resources. Positive emotions expand our perspective, helping us see more clearly, discover new possibilities, build connections with other people, who share ideas and insights, supporting us in our creative work. In order to truly flourish, Fredrickson says, we need at least a 3-to-1 ratio–three positive emotional experiences to one negative one each day. As she explains in Positivity, once we reach this point, we will experience greater energy, inspiration, and insight, opening us up to greater creative accomplishment and joy in life. To find out more about Dr. Fredrickson’s research check out her video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds_9Df6dK7c
You can track your own positivity ratio on her web site, https://www.positivityratio.com/
You can begin building greater positivity by:
- Practicing mindfulness.
- Meditating
- Spending time in nature
- Doing what you love
- Pausing to give thanks
- Playing
- Reading inspiring books.
- Laughing
- Exercising
- Being with people you love
- Doing your creative work
Our greatest natural resources are our hearts and minds. You can begin making a positive difference in the world by strengthening your creativity, building your personal resources by embracing greater joy—right here, right now.
Diane