Reading Romance Can Banish Negative Thoughts
- I’m a failure.
- No one likes me.
- I’ll never find that special someone.
- Why even try?
- There’s no point to any of this.
- Nothing good I achieve will ever be noticed
- Something bad always happens
Negative thoughts! We all have them sometimes. In fact, I’ll bet you feel worse just from reading that list. It’s no surprise the internet is filled with advice on how to avoid negative thoughts. In the 70s there was a saying, “Life is a shit sandwich, and you take a bigger bite every day.” Maybe the generation that just survived Viet Nam had cause to think that, but that isn’t the point. Dwelling on the negative does not lead to solutions, nor to daily happiness.
In the 80’s a woman I knew married and she and her husband planned to have a family.When she got pregnant, she started thinking how the world was awful and that she didn’t want to bring a child into it. Now, they didn’t live in poverty–he a doctor, and she a nurse. The child wouldn’t be a latchkey kid–she could easily afford to quit work and be a mother. They didn’t live in a ghetto where the child would be exposed to crime and drugs on a daily basis–they could afford to live wherever they wanted. She kept up to date on world news daily and prided herself that she knew what was going on and was politically astute. And her mind was filled with words like,
- Environmental conditions are deteriorating
- Crime rates are increasing
- Sudan’s paramilitary forces are waging an ethnic cleansing campaign, warning another massacre may be looming
- Russian court extends detention of reporter
- The PLO continues their campaign against Israel
Pretty bleak, right? To her, so bleak that she chose to have an abortion.
More recently, in 2016, the election of Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton, resulted in school districts offering counseling support to calm fears. Universities hosted forums, self-care events, support groups, and self-care guides that include tips like “If you feel distressed by what is in the media, for the moment, limit your consumption of Facebook, Twitter and other social media sources that are likely to be full of distressing material.”
Happy thoughts can serve as a potent antidote to anxiety and negative thinking, offering a pathway to emotional resilience and mental well-being. When we intentionally redirect our attention towards positive experiences, memories, or aspirations, we shift our mental landscape from one dominated by worry and pessimism to one illuminated by optimism and contentment.
The power of happy thoughts lies in their ability to reframe our perspective. Instead of dwelling on uncertainties or past failures, we immerse ourselves in moments of joy, gratitude, or hope. This redirection of attention interrupts the spiral of anxious thoughts and cultivates a more balanced outlook on life.
Focusing on happy thoughts can trigger a cascade of physiological responses that counteract stress. It can stimulate the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and endorphins, which promote feelings of happiness and relaxation. In doing so, it diminishes the physiological response associated with anxiety, fostering a sense of calm and tranquility.
Just as our bodies thrive on nutritious food, our mental health flourishes when nourished with optimism, gratitude, and hope. Positive thoughts act as a shield against the onslaught of negativity, buffering us from stress and anxiety. They inspire creativity, resilience, and a sense of purpose, fostering a mindset primed for growth and fulfillment. By consciously cultivating positivity through uplifting experiences, affirmations, and acts of kindness, we cultivate a reservoir of mental resilience, empowering ourselves to navigate life’s challenges with clarity, grace, and unwavering optimism.
Maybe we should think carefully about the words we read. Uplifting fiction genres offer readers a refuge from life’s struggles, transporting them to worlds brimming with hope, courage, and possibility. Romance novels celebrate the triumph of love over adversity, restoring faith in the transformative power of human connection. Inspirational fiction weaves tales of resilience and redemption, reminding readers that even in the darkest times, there is always hope for a brighter tomorrow. Fantasy genres whisk readers away to enchanting realms where heroes conquer evil and dreams come true, igniting the imagination and stirring the soul. Across these genres, uplifting fiction serves as a beacon of light, guiding readers through the shadows with stories that inspire and make us smile.
Reading positive fiction isn’t just lying to ourselves and denying reality. Telling ourselves “Life is s shit sandwich” is just as much of a lie as telling ourselves,”There is always a happy ending.” But the important thing is which thought empowers you and allows you go forward with hope.
If you want to read something uplifting, try romance.
