Getting stuck in the negatives (and how to get unstuck) | Alison Ledgerwood | TEDxUCDavis

Alison Ledgerwood joined the Department of Psychology at UC Davis in 2008 after completing her PhD in social psychology at New York University. She is interested in understanding how people think, and how they can think better. Her research, which is funded by the National Science Foundation, investigates how certain ways of thinking about an issue tend to stick in people's heads. Her classes on social psychology focus on understanding the way people think and behave in social situations, and how to harness that knowledge to potentially improve the social world in which we all live.

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[DepressionTalks]

From a person that deals with depression and anxiety, this was VERY helpful. Thank you for sharing your message with us! It was deeply impactful.

[Unknown-sdbv]

One thing I heard is that to get out of the negatives, you can create a compliment journal for yourself, and in this journal, instead of writing down the negatives of each day, you write out small achievements you make each day. For example, you managed to get yourself up at bed. You managed to go to work. You managed to eat a meal. These accomplishments will be small but definitely will help you build up your self confidence in the long way.

[rokayaothman]

"Imagine there'e been an outbreak of an unusual disease" 5:17

Mmm actually I'm watching this during covid-19 lockdown...

[hurricanefreak]

Crying a bit because this has helped with my anxiety and been stuck with negative thoughts and understand know that I have been feeding them with my negative perspective - thank you

[ramik]

We live in a society that is obsessed with success, and isn't interested in learning from their mistakes. That's why those that choose to learn from their mistakes enjoy the most success in life.

[TravisWorkman]

I really liked this talk. It reinforces what I have told my daughter when she comes home from school, play etc... complaining. The rule stands in our house for every 1 complaint you have to determine 3 positives. That is a 3/1 ratio obviously which has helped dramatically change the outlook and behavior on a day to day basis. 

[toseeornotsee]

I'm not a psychologist, but our minds are prone to confirmation bias, I feel, through my experience. I could be wrong, but I feel when we are in a negative space, we start reviewing negative experiences in our heads and reading negativity in everything. What is funny is, when we are in a good mood, even negative things appear to be inconsequential and we laugh them off.

[scottfisher]

I have been an alcoholic for 35 years of my life. Grew up in a poor dysfunctional household. A lot of negative things as happened throughout my life. And it is so hard to change that because she is right you hold onto the negative thoughts even if good things begin to happen. I am almost one year sober now and it has taken this long for positive thoughts to somewhat starting to over rife the negative that has succumbed me through out my life. And it has taken a lot of therapy to get me to where I am today. What I’m getting at is that when you have a negative life and your trying to change that it takes time and not to give up. Continue to work on getting rid of the negative thinking put good people in your life. Quit watching the news. Get off of social media. It will be worth it in they end. God loves you let him know you love him back.

[richajain]

Today, I got my results for one of the most important exams of my life... n I failed! but m fine now, because, you taught me, that no matter how many times I fail, I need to hold on tight and bounce back, and work harder. thank you.

[vanyastaleva]

The overcoming the problem is called building self esteem - building confidence in your capabilities of dealing with difficulties. Negativity is fear.

[littlemisssunshine]

What a great talk. I used to be extraordinarily positive; some of my friends once said to me that I could power the whole wold with positivity but during Covid-19, I temporarily lost all that and fell into a hole of depression (shielding for 19 weeks alone and not working, so totally isolate and with no money either) but I think you just showed me the way back out. Thank you for reminding me that there is nothing that is so bad it isn't good for something - all we have to do is figure out what that something is (I was brought up with that mantra). Thank you for sharing.

[isaiahdrye]

Positivity is always key to living the best life you can

[JuliusFawcett]

All suffering is a message to us to love ourselves more, love each other more or love this moment more.

[baconlatte]

I guess these days it is sacrilege to say this, but part of the tendency toward negativity has to do with the sum total of one's life experiences, and especially early childhood.  Those who experience trauma or emotional neglect in early life tend to view the world as threatening and life to be without value.  And those with little social support or who feel cultural alienation are more likely to have a negative view of life.  We are not all having the same experience.  I agree that optimism can be learned but some have a much tougher road than others.

[maglan]

I've always been struggling with negativity and lethargy all time, it's just because your mind has got stuck to it, it's a daily life and routine to be in this condition all time, it takes guts and high self esteem to switch from side to side

[TakeBackYourMind]

Your focus = Your reality. Reframing positively and practising gratitude changes the default setting to a more positive one over time.

[shibanijadhav]

Thank you, I really needed to hear this for myself. Having such a negative mindset all the time, your talk has inspired me to make positive changes to eventually but slowly overcome the negativity that is inside me.

[misshappy]

I’m dealing with negative thoughts every month especially when I’m on period. This affects me so much and is really hard to stay positive but I’m learning and improving it.

[grvd]

Thanks a lot for this wonderful insight.
1. We have natural negative tilt
2. It takes more to get out of loss/negative than gain/positive
3. It takes work to see upside/ positive
4. Count your blessings

[katekennelly]

really glad I saw this just now even if it's from awhile back. "the bad tends to propagate itself." so true. it's so much harder to be positive and to forgive than it is to complain and feel resentful. I've struggled a lot not to get stuck in the negative these past two years after a medical incident and ensuing depressive episode and panic disorder. The studies you've done are really interesting and there's something very reassuring about the fact that this is hard for all people. I really like the idea of writing for a couple minutes each day about the things you're grateful for and remembering that most days are actually decent days. Thank you again.