Why Your Brain Defaults to Scarcity and How to Flip it to Happiness - Anxiety Course 16/30
Therapy in a Nutshell・2 minutes read
The brain's negativity bias filters our perception of reality, leading to a focus on negative information and experiences. To counteract this bias, one must challenge negative thoughts, practice gratitude, and seek external perspectives to create a more positive outlook and break the cycle of anxiety.
Insights
- The brain's negativity bias skews perception towards negative information, impacting emotions, relationships, and decision-making.
- Overcoming the negativity bias involves recognizing negative thinking patterns, seeking external perspectives, and practicing cognitive defusion and gratitude journaling to foster positivity and break the anxiety cycle.
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Recent questions
How does the brain process information?
Through a negativity bias that filters stimuli.
How can one challenge negative thoughts?
By practicing cognitive defusion and gratitude journaling.
How can one break the cycle of anxiety?
By noticing patterns, seeking outside perspective, and practicing cognitive defusion.
How can one focus on positivity?
By redirecting attention, challenging thoughts, and practicing gratitude.
What strategies can help counteract negativity bias?
Taking breaks from negative sources and practicing cognitive defusion.
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Summary
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Breaking the Negativity Bias Cycle
- The brain has a negativity bias that filters what we see and pay attention to, leading to a skewed perception of reality.
- Selective attention allows the brain to focus on specific stimuli while ignoring others.
- Negativity bias causes people to pay more attention to negative information due to evolutionary roots.
- Negativity bias influences emotions, relationships, politics, and decision-making.
- Chronic anxiety or trauma can make the brain more vigilant to threats, perpetuating anxiety.
- Mental filtering can change memory and impact emotions, leading to a focus on negative experiences.
- To break the negativity bias cycle, one must first notice their patterns and seek an outside perspective.
- Taking breaks from negative information sources and practicing cognitive defusion can help challenge negative thoughts.
- Challenging the validity of negative thoughts and practicing gratitude journaling can counteract the negativity bias.
- Despite the prevalence of negativity, goodness also exists, and individuals can choose to focus on positivity.
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Break Anxiety Cycle with Therapist, Gratitude, Media
- Redirect your brain's attention towards a more helpful approach by working with a therapist, challenging your thoughts and media bias, and practicing gratitude to create an internal sense of safety, breaking the anxiety cycle. Access the full course "Break the Anxiety Cycle in 30 Days" online for further guidance.
