Our brains are wired to focus on negativity from "summary" of Hardwiring Happiness by Rick Hanson,PhD
The brain has a natural tendency to focus on negative experiences. This is due to our evolutionary history, where paying attention to potential threats or dangers was crucial for survival. Our ancestors needed to be on high alert for predators or other risks in order to stay safe. This survival instinct has been passed down through generations, and as a result, our brains have developed a negativity bias. When we encounter a negative experience, our brains are quick to latch onto it and give it more weight than positive experiences. This is known as the "negativity bias," and it can have a significant impact on our mental well-being. Negative experiences tend to stick with us more than positive ones, causing us to ruminate on them and overlook the good things in our lives. The negativity bias can also affect how we perceive the world around us. We may be more likely to notice and remember negative events or comments, while positive ones may fade into the background. This can lead to a skewed view of reality, where we believe that things are worse than they actually are.- We can begin to work towards balancing out our attention and giving equal weight to positive experiences. This can help us to cultivate a more positive outlook on life and improve our overall well-being.
