How to Respond Positively to Negativity

Remaining positive when confronted with negativity can be beneficial to your health.

You may find it difficult to maintain a positive attitude while interacting with negative people. In the article, "Positive thinking: Reduce stress by eliminating negative self-talk," published on May 28, 2011 on the Mayo Clinic website by the Mayo Clinic Staff, the authors cite studies that show that staying positive can lower your stress and depression as well as increase your ability to respond to difficult or stressful situations. Negative people have a tendency to be depressed or possess low self-esteem. They project negativity on others to feel better about themselves. Negativity and a positive attitude can both be contagious. Instead of being drawn into someone else's web of negativity, you can present a positive attitude that may help to change the negative person's attitude.

Instructions

1. Identify the negative people in your life. Take time to mentally prepare yourself before meeting with these people. Practice positive self-talk such as "I am a strong, confident person" or "I am able to see the best in bad situations." Include other positive people if possible so you're not facing negativity alone.

2. Change a negative into a positive. Negative people hold on to their negative beliefs as part of their identity. Reframe each negative statement into a positive. Show them that they can change their negative mindset if they wish. The negative person will either acquiesce to your positive ideas or they will give up and end the conversation.

3. Give genuine compliments. Positive thinking breeds positive behavior. If someone is focusing on what went wrong in a situation, bring up what worked well and give praise where it's due. Acknowledge if mistakes were made, but praise what worked to keep from justifying the person's negative energy. The more a negative person hears praise, the harder it is for him to maintain his negative ideas.

4. Remain positive. Negative people will try to bring you down to their level. Keep a positive attitude instead of becoming argumentative. Remaining positive can reduce your stress levels, help fight off a cold and possibly help you live longer. Filter negative talk and allow it to bounce off you.

Tips & Warnings

• Walk away from any situation that becomes offensive or dangerous.

• Smile often. It helps you maintain a positive attitude and can be contagious.

• Don't argue or become confrontational with negative people. It feeds their negative attitude and gives them justification for their behavior.

References

• The Mayo Clinic: Positive Thinking: Reduce Stress by Eliminating Negative Self-Talk
• Counselling Resource: How to Deal with Negative People
• Trio Psychology: How to Deal with Negative People
• Physician Entrepreneur: How to Deal with Negative People

Resources

• Kommein: How to Respond Positively to Negative Feedback
• Whole Living: Beyond Happy