5 positive benefits of negative thinking

Not to be confused with negative mentality or negativity, which refers to a habitual attitude of melancholy, cynicism and anger. Negative thinking simply refers to the power to see the possible darkness in people, ideas and things in order to respond in a realistic way.

Here are four ways in which negative thinking can help you gain some objectivity and experience a more positive life:

Prevent the worst possible outcome

Although it is impossible to see the outcomes of anything, imagining the worst case scenario can better equip one to deal with or avoid certain situations.

WCS Pulse

It is the theme of almost all horror movies. Thrill-seekers, adrenaline junkies and plain stubbornness leads a group to a prohibited zone, active volcano or a dangerous waterbody.

Helps you set boundaries.

Some propositions set off warning bells in your mind, you just have to listen.

“I was hoping to meet someone like you tonight. How about coming back to my place?”

Boundaries Pulse

It is better to imagine a new friend you just made at a party as a potential serial killer. Negative thinking helps you come up with measures to sieve out bad character. It teaches you to assert you limits in potentially dangerous moments.

Allows for more thoughtful choices

Negative thinking puts the brakes on impulsive behaviour by slowing down decision-making processes. "When you are in doubt, wait."

Socrates Pulse

"E-cigarettes were originally touted as a harm-reduction technique for adults who wanted to quit smoking. Now a significant number of young people are addicted to e-cigarettes, and there have been cases of lung disease and death from vaping in every state. Moreover, the nicotine in e-cigarettes can cause long-term damage to the developing teenage brain." What will scientists discover about another dubious product in the coming years?

Looking at yourself and others more realistically

Persistence and endurance are often praised, until they become weapons of destruction through chasing unrealistic dreams or other people's dreams.

Japanese hyper-realistic face mask maker Pulse

"PT blogger Guy Winch, author of How to Fix a Broken Heart, has a useful negative-thinking tip for those who are making themselves miserable by idealizing a former lover: Write a list of negative qualities of that person. Keep it in your phone and look at it frequently. Your broken heart will begin to mend."

Encourages healthy skepticism towards authority

Negative thinking might be just another name for critical thinking. Thinking critically helps you keep out false and harmful speech and detect manipulation.

“Blind belief in authority is the greatest enemy of truth,” Albert Einstein said.

Donald Sutherland as Snow in Hunger Games Pulse

Negative thinking also helps you get in touch with those emotions that sense foul play. Anger, sadness and irritation are indicators that something needs to be changed.