Psychologists say that negative or positive thinking are not fixed and unchangeable traits, and with a simple trick, one can change their mental state.
According to ISNA, the New York Post has reported on a technique called “consolidation” or “installation” introduced by Dr. Rick Hanson, a neuroscientist.
Dr. Hanson explains that the learning process has two stages: activation and consolidation. In the activation stage, we experience an event, whether good or bad. Then we enter the consolidation stage, where we store the memory of that experience in our brain.
Without consolidation – the transfer of the experience from short-term to long-term memory – experiences, whether positive or negative, do not last and no learning, growth, or improvement occurs. This is why negative experiences are automatically “installed” in our minds. Therefore, if we want to consolidate positive experiences, we must work on them.
To do this, we need to reinforce positive experiences and fully enjoy them when they happen. First, take a moment to appreciate the good things in that experience, whether it’s the taste of a delicious food, the feeling of relaxation while walking on a beautiful day, or even the joy of laughing with a friend.
Dr. Hanson recommends taking five to ten seconds, or more, to stay in the good feeling of the experience: the more these neurons are activated, the stronger this internal power will become in your brain.
When you do this, you’re not just benefiting from the positive aspects in that moment. With practice, you’re actually teaching your brain to pay more attention to the positive aspects in the future.
In fact, you’re reinforcing your emotional response to that positive experience. This can, over time, prepare your brain to be more receptive to better experiences in the future.
To understand why this method is effective, it’s essential to know that humans naturally tend to be negative; they tend to focus on the negative aspects and give them more importance than the positive ones.
This is especially true for people who have experienced a critical or negative comment in a positive review at work, or those who have been unable to get over a shameful moment, despite many positive interactions that followed.
This is a natural and understandable phenomenon, and it’s something that many people can relate to.
In conclusion, it’s essential to recognize that our thoughts and emotions are not fixed and can be changed with practice. By focusing on the positive aspects of our experiences and reinforcing them, we can train our brains to be more receptive to positive experiences in the future.
So, the next time you experience something good, take a moment to appreciate it, and see how it can help you become a more positive and resilient person.
References:
* New York Post: “How to install positive thoughts into your brain”