Staying Positive With a Negative Brain

Our instinctual focus on problems and threats can undermine our health and blind us to blessings

The world is a mess. Unfortunately, our negativity bias makes it seem even worse and we suffer mentally and physically as a result. metamorworks/Shutterstock

It’s safe to say nearly everyone has been feeling a bit negative recently, especially in the past two years.

A dramatic rise in depression and anxiety is usually a good indicator that we’re collectively not feeling our best. Research from the Boston University School of Public Health showed that the rise in depression during the pandemic first seen in March and April 2020 increased by March and April 2021, climbing to 32.8 percent—affecting 1 in 3 American adults.