Even your worldview can become skewed by their incessant lack of enthusiasm. Under the influence of a negative person, you might even second guess yourself on important decisions, feel sad, uncomfortable or depressed.
If someone is exposed to negativity or constant criticism early on in their lives, they may mirror that behavior. Children raised in an environment where criticism, pessimism, doom and gloom, and negativity are common will end up having that mapped into their developing brains as typical behavior.
Negative feedback will affect your thinking and confidence
The main problem with these types of people is that if you hang out with them long enough, you will start seeing the world like them; instead of positive thoughts, you will start thinking negatively.
Research shows that our brains evolved to react much more strongly to negative experiences than positive ones. It kept us safe from danger. But in modern days, where physical danger is minimal, it often just gets in the way. It's called the negativity bias.
Negative comments provide evidence that you cannot succeed at your goals, which can be demotivating. There is evidence that people need to experience positive feelings about three times more often than negative feelings in order to maintain positive moods. A positive mood drives people to be productive and creative.
If you suspect that someone is a negative friend, then it's important to try and limit the amount of time that you spend with them because it will only have a negative effect on your mental health in the long run.
Regular or even constant negative thinking can also be a sign of anxiety, depression, stress or low self-esteem. This sounds a bit strange, but negativity can also be contagious.
Pessimistic describes the state of mind of someone who always expects the worst. A pessimistic attitude isn't very hopeful, shows little optimism, and can be a downer for everyone else. To be pessimistic means you believe evil outweighs the good and that bad things are more likely to happen.
Ideally, people will respect our boundaries when we communicate them clearly. But we all know that some people will do everything they can to resist our efforts to set boundaries; they will argue, blame, ignore, manipulate, threaten, or physically hurt us.
Studies have shown that being around negative people can seriously damage our mental and physical health, making us more depressed and anxious, putting us at increased risk of a heart attack or stroke, and harming our immune system.
Research has shown that even a small amount of negative brain activity can lead to a weakened immune system, making you more prone to illness, and even lead to a heart attack or a stroke. Negative attitudes can also affect your intelligence and ability to think — according to Dr.
Projection: People may make negative comments to project their insecurities or feelings onto others. By making negative comments, they may feel like they are deflecting attention away from their flaws.
To avoid dwelling on negatives too much, try using up your mental resources in other ways. If your brain is being used put to work, it won't have the idle energy to dwell on past negative experiences. Try something fun that takes mental focus, like playing an instrument or a sport you enjoy, or doing a puzzle.
Remove yourself from the situation
If the hurtful comments become too personal (such as “you are already 35, why are you not married?”), remind yourself that there is no need to continue to stand (or sit) around. Take time-outs for yourself to breathe and refocus your thoughts.
The human brain has a natural tendency to give weight to (and remember) negative experiences or interactions more than positive ones—they stand out more. Psychologists refer to this as negativity bias. “Our brains are wired to scout for the bad stuff” and fixate on the threat, says psychologist and author Rick Hanson.
Feelings of extreme anxiety, low self-esteem, worthlessness, difficulty trusting others, maintaining close relationships, or feeling worn out after a visit with your family are all signs you grew up in a toxic family.