#negative friend

[mental-health-advice]

did you receive my ask about struggling with my negative friend? I sent it about a week ago, there's no rush I just want to check tumblr hasn't eaten it x

Hello lovely,

We've got one from 5 days ago asking to be signed as winter174. Is that one yours? Hopefully it is!

Take care,Alexandria.

[gurl]

8 Tips On How To Deal With A Negative Friend

[superfriendgroups]

Do you have a negative friend? QUIZ

Photo by Infomatique at flickr.com

CLICK IMAGE TO TAKE QUIZ

While having a negative friend may be hard to deal with, science shows that they can’t help it! We’re all hard-wired to react to negative information more strongly than positive information for survival.

Studies show (see Prospect Theory) that people find it more distressing to lose $1,000 than feel elated and rewarded by winning $1,000.

Why?

However, if your banana tree is a cornucopia and you decide to head further in the forest. You spot another banana tree and jump up and down with joy. It’s a reward, and our brain loves a reward. But those bananas are a bonus tree and your survival doesn’t depend on them. You won the forest lottery, and enjoy its bounty.

Number 1 is your salary and Number 2 is your end of year bonus.

Many have overcome these basic negative traits of seeing the banana tree half empty, while others find changing their negative attitudes difficult.

Negative Friends Do It The Hard-Wired Way!

Negative friends range from mildly annoying to extremely taxing. If you’re invested in this friendship it’s time to change the conversation. There are techniques to overcome negativity, but saying to a friend “don’t be so negative” is not one of them.

Cognitive therapy helps redirect your thought patterns.

“One obvious solution is to walk away from them. But this is easier said than done… A more practical approach to dealing with them is to start by understanding the reasons for their negativity,” Raj Raghunathan, Ph.D. in Sapient Nature, “Dealing with Negative People,” Psychology Today, March 19, 2013.

Remember… an aware friend starts with you!

If you liked this post check out “How to Make New Friends“ and “How to Make Long Distance Friends Active.”

We want to hear from you - if you've got a story or question, your welcome to send us an email at the Contact Us page.

Image courtesy: Photograph by Infomatique at flickr.com

© Glenda Shaw_Superfriendgroups.com 2014

Please note: I hide specific and identifiable details in my friend stories as these stories are examples of behavior and not meant to hurt anyone. These stories are based on my opinion and perspective, except when the people written about are in the public domain. Any advice in this blog is from my insights, research and opinion only, and must not be considered as legal or medical advice.