RESEARCHERS DISCOVER TWO POWERFUL TECHNIQUES FOR OVERCOMING NEGATIVE MEMORIES

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Mon 15 April 2024:

All of us experience ups and downs in our lives. Some traumatic experiences, illnesses, accidents, and breakups may have long-term consequences for our behaviour and mental processes. But is there any way to negate negative experiences from the past and convert them into useful life lessons that can influence our future decisions?

VanEpps and Truncellito’s latest study, published in Current Opinion in Psychology, uncovered two techniques for preparing people to perceive unfavorable events in the past through a positive lens.

1st method: cognitive reappraisal.
One strategy is to entirely reframe the negative experience and focus on the positive aspects. Known as ‘Cognitive Reappraisal,’ the process entails rewriting the past experience and modifying your assumptions and perceptions.

For example, if you went through a heart-breaking break-up with your partner and you believe you might never recover from that.

Cognitive reappraisal allows you to learn more about the good parts of a negative occurrence. In this instance, greater emphasis can be placed on self-discovery, growth, and a more dedicated and meaningful romantic relationship in the long run.

This is the first step toward reducing the negative emotional impact of a difficult prior event.

2nd Method: Redeeming the Past through Storytelling

The art of storytelling is another approach for neutralising a negative previous incident. This strategy entails repackaging negative memories and “redeeming the past.”

Well, incorporating your unpleasant occurrences into a larger story can help you create a larger, more optimistic narrative overall.

After all, not every story is nice, free of suffering and embarrassment. But they all have a fantastic story-telling value. A good tale contains suspense and struggle.

Some stories educate people, while others warn or convince. They all have some value, whether positive or negative.

In storytelling, the previous unpleasant events might be viewed as a little portion of a larger positive story.

The two strategies described above can help people overcome previous trauma and move forward with a more optimistic outlook on life.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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