Good News for the Brain

How to train your brain to have a brighter outlook on life

Like me, do you find yourself remembering bad news better than good? Do you find it hard to let go of negative thoughts and emotions once they hit? Do you struggle letting go of the past? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be suffering from negativity bias. Yes, that pesky little quirk of our brains that makes us remember bad news better than good news is a thing. Who knew the average brain that hasn’t been exercised in hope would end up such a pessimist?

It's true, my friends. Our brains get wired to dwell on the negative stuff the more we, well, dwell on the negative stuff, while the positive stuff slips through the cracks like water through a sieve. It's like our minds have a selective memory for anything that can ruin our day. Seriously, it's as if we have a built-in drama queen up there.

But fear not, my fellow seekers of mental and spiritual growth, for I come bearing good news! There are ways to get your brain in shape and train it to stop operating with this negative bias and instead concentrate on what you have to be thankful for. And let me tell you, it's worth the effort. We all have access to expectant hope, even if it takes a bit of brain exercise to get there.

The 5 to 3 Ratio

So, here's the deal. One way to combat negativity bias is to think five positive thoughts for every negative thought that sneaks into your mind. It's like our brains need a reminder to focus on the good stuff, and we're needed to give it that nudge. Trust me, it's not easy at first, just like lifting weights or getting on the Stair Master. Negativity can be a stubborn little bugger, but with practice, you can take off the fat and develop a fit mind.

Express Gratitude

Especially when it comes to other people, gratitude is our secret weapon. Take a moment and think about five positive things someone has done for you or five things you genuinely like about them. It's a game-changer, my friends. Many of my relationships have started to shine a little brighter, and look a little better. Gratitude is like a shield against negativity bias.

Encourage your soul

Now, if you're feeling a bit down in the dumps, here's a trick I've been using. Remember a positive experience you've had, and relive it. Run that memory in your mind like a blockbuster movie, and allow yourself to relish in the good vibes it brings. It's like a mini-spa day for your soul and it’s a way to keep your thoughts on whatever is good, excellent, or praiseworthy instead of wasting your time on the negative side of life.

If you're feeling brave, try linking that positive memory with something negative. I know, it sounds crazy, but hear me out. By growing your positive memories and gradually associating them with the negative ones, you can soothe those negative feelings and eventually erase them. It's like teaching your body to stop craving sweets and to learn to love your veggies, and the results are just as wonderful.

If you’d like to learn more about training your brain, I’ve learned a lot from Dr. Caroline Leaf and her Neurocycle app. You can download Neurocycle from the App Store or Google Play and give it a try. She's like The Home Depot for the brain saying, “You can do it and I can help!” It's a real brain remodel, I tell you.

Remember, finding the positive amidst the negative might feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, but it's a skill worth honing. So let's raise our glasses (or cups of tea) to embracing gratitude, believing we can improve our minds, and living a life that embraces hope and rejects worry, doubt, and fear.

Here's to keeping your mind on whatever is true, excellent, good and praiseworthy, and erasing all of those negative thoughts with a does of hope, joy, and gratitude.