The power of upward spirals
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Highlights
- Our emotions aren’t singular and isolated. Instead, they build on each other, and as they do this, they take on a kind of momentum.
- What started with a small, unanticipated misfortune not only ruined the whole day, but also might have consequences for your relationships and your health.
- What makes upward spirals particularly powerful is that they set us up for more joy in the future. The flexible thinking that comes in the wake of a positive mood makes us more resourceful and creative, which enriches our days and helps us cope with adverse events. Increased openness to others helps us make friends, strengthening our network of social support. And the curious, exploratory mindset prompts us to get out of our comfort zone, expanding our worldview and opening the door to discovering new sources of joy in the future.
- Instead of thinking of a moment of joy as too much effort or a pointless waste of time in a hectic day, it would be more accurate to see it as the first link in a chain reaction. It may take some energy to kick it off, but once in motion an upward spiral has its own momentum, sending ever-widening positive ripples throughout our lives. All we need to do is get it started.
- We all have these small, tedious tasks in our lives, ones that aren’t complicated but are nonetheless annoying. Find one that feels doable, and see what happens after you finish.
- Ultimately, the power of upward spirals is that they amplify small actions, yielding big benefits for our mental health. When times are dark, it can feel like the effort needed to shift our mindset is vast, and the obstacles insurmountable. This keeps us stuck. Knowing instead that small joys can have a meaningful impact makes it easier to take that first step, trusting that once we get it going, the upward spiral will carry us to joyful new heights.