Why are we naturally so negative?

Ever wonder why we find it is easier to be more negative than positive? Well, it’s all got to do with our programming, our biological heritage. We were programmed to look out for danger, because it was all around us.

When we ran away from wild animals our brain assisted us in producing adrenalin, and cortisol so we could climb the nearest tree and avoid being eaten. Once the danger passed, we would calm down, go back to our clan, usually between 60-80 people, and sit around the fire laughing and telling stories about our near escape. Human connectivity is one of the most powerful neuroplasticity enhancers known to man.

Fast forward to our world today, we race to work in the morning and race back home in the evening. Some of us feel anxious, stressed, feel out of control, in a world that changes rapidly. Neurologically our brains are producing more adrenalin, noradrenalin, and cortisol, because of our stressed mind states. Think of it as a tap slowly dripping, one drop at a time. Let’s call it the slow drip.
The suggestion provided by one of our mind growth masters, Dr Ian Weinberg, is indeed helpful in increasing neuroplasticity and promoting a sense of well-being by enhancing the production of feel-good chemicals in the brain.

The question is, how do we counterbalance this slow drip that is happening in our brains? One of the ways is developing our neuroplasticity. So how is this done? Dr Ian Weinberg who we work with has come up with the following suggestions to increase neuroplasticity. All these suggestions increase the feel-good chemicals our brains produce, which are dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin.

1. You need meaning and purpose-driven by curiosity. Cultivating curiosity helps keep the brain engaged and active. Become curious, and develop this tiny habit. (Watch the video of Dr. BJ Fogg from Stanford on Tiny Habits on Youtube). Ask yourself how you could help others in your community. Unlocking meaning and purpose-driven by curiosity can open up a whole new world for you.

2. Develop self-esteem and self-efficacy. Self-efficacy helps put meaning and purpose into action. Self-efficacy feeds upon itself, and thus we become more efficient with ongoing engagement. Self-efficacy reflects confidence in the ability to exert control over one’s motivation, behavior, and social environment.

3. Personal gratification / or reward, important that you reward yourself after achieving something because it triggers dopamine.

4. Achievement. Lots of dopamine release when you complete something, and it is better than you expected.

5. Human connectivity and value contribution – the happiest people in the world are those that have many different social contacts and connections. Join the bowls club, make new friends, phone up old ones, keep connecting, and go out for coffee. Keep connecting don’t shut the world out. Contribute value, where you can, whenever you can.

Finally, being mindful of our attitude and thought patterns, practicing empathy and kindness, and challenging unhelpful beliefs can further support your emotional well-being and enhance neuroplasticity. The brain’s ability to adapt and rewire itself is an incredible feature that we can harness throughout our lives for personal growth and development.

Choose your attitude, because you can. Be kind, be nice, show empathy, be friendly, make someone’s day, reframe your thinking, choose your words carefully, don’t think, that everything you think is true. Change the programs that don’t serve you any longer, and become your own Mind Growth Master.