Better Way to Think about It

Based on my research, a more accurate way to think about this issue is to say we are able to change our mood with our mind but only to a certain extent. The only things that can hold us back is the correct state we are in at that time – stressed, distracted, or worried and our level of self-esteem in general. One of the studies in my Read this, Not that section and numerous others, have proven that if we are depressed, or have low self-esteem, the practice of positive self-talk can actually make a person feel worse. There are many reasons why this can occur. Mainly it’s because when depressed the self-talk in our head makes it difficult for us to confirm or accept any positive self-talk from ourselves or others.

The problem with the more accurate way of say “When down in the dumps, think yourself happy by focusing on the positive” is that when are we not stressed, worried, or distracted when feeling down. I think when the normal person feels bad; he or she is normally stressed or distracted with his or her worries. Therefore, taking the myth’s strategy they could be just setting themselves up for failure.