Have you ever been in a situation when you’ve been told “Everything happens for a reason”, “There’s a storm before every calm” or “All is well”, especially when everything seems be going topsy-turvy? Being excessively positive and optimistic all the time, in a way that one becomes dismissive of negative emotions, is what toxic positivity is all about. People tend to deny or suppress their true feelings and emotions, often leading to negative consequences. Let us tell you more about it and how to deal with toxic positivity at work.
What is toxic positivity?
Toxic positivity is an unrealistic and unhealthy approach to life that involves suppressing negative emotions and focusing solely on maintaining a positive attitude, explains psychiatrist Dr Rahul Rai Kakkar of Narayana Superspeciality Hospital. It often involves telling yourself “just think positive” or “everything happens for a reason” to dismiss or downplay real emotional struggles and challenges.
What are the signs of toxic positivity at work?
When people feel pressured to suppress their true emotions and put on a facade of constant positivity, it can lead to emotional suppression, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy. It prevents people from addressing and working through their real problems and can contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Here are some signs:
- Constant pressure to stay positive
- Discouragement of open and honest discussions about challenges
- Minimising or dismissing employees’ concerns
- Shaming or guilt-tripping employees for expressing negative emotions
- Promoting an unrealistic culture of constant cheerfulness
How to deal with toxic positivity at work?
- Promote emotional intelligence
- Create a safe space
- Encourage open communication
- Offer support and resources
- Set realistic expectations
- Promote self-care
- Address toxic positivity directly
- Celebrate small wins
- Lead by example
- Focus on problem solving
Encourage employees to recognise and express their emotions in a healthy way. Emotional intelligence helps people to understand and manage their feelings effectively, says the expert.
Establish a workplace where employees feel safe sharing their concerns and challenges without fear of judgment or dismissal.
Encourage a culture of open and honest communication, so this includes acknowledging problems and working together to find solutions.
Provide resources for mental health and well-being, such as Employee Assistance Programmes, to help employees cope with stress and difficulties.
Encourage a balance between acknowledging difficulties and maintaining a positive outlook. Realism is key to a healthy workplace culture.
Be it at work or home, self-care should not be ignored. In office, you can encourage colleagues to take care of their mental as well as emotional well-being. Self-care practices can help to alleviate stress and promote overall positivity.
If you notice instances of toxic positivity, address them respectfully and educate employees about its potential harm.
Recognise and celebrate small accomplishments and progress rather than solely focusing on major successes. This can help to alleviate the pressure for constant positivity, says Dr Kakkar.
As a leader or colleague, demonstrate authenticity in dealing with your own emotions. By setting a positive example, you can encourage others to do the same.
Facing challenges or difficulties with a positive outlook is good. But just pretending that everything is fine means you are downplaying negative feelings. It’s an avoidance technique that stops us from solving the real problem. You need to have a strategy in place so that you can solve the issue instead of ignoring it.