Have you ever looked at some people and thought they’re just fortunate and everything always seems to go their way? Well, according to a new mental health ‘hack’ that has gone viral on social media, you don’t have to feel jealous of them anymore because you too can harness the power of being ‘lucky’. Dubbed lucky girl syndrome, the method uses the power of demonstration and positive affirmations and says if you think you are really lucky then good things will happen to you. Sounds simple enough, right? But what exactly is “lucky girl syndrome”?
The trend started on TikTok by user Laura Galebe who first posted a video in December last year. “There’s literally no better way to explain it than to feel like the odds are completely in my favor. I constantly say that great things always happen to me unexpectedly,” Laura said. in the video. The technique is to tell yourself: “I’m lucky and everything will always end up working out for me. The universe has my back. By applying this positive mantra and outlook to all aspects of their lives, users have noticed that things are indeed working better for them.
Is there a science behind this?
The notion of assertiveness is not new. A 2015 study by Christopher N. Cascio suggested that there is MRI evidence that certain neural pathways are increased when people practice assertiveness tasks, PositivePsychology.com reported. Agree, Dr Samant Darshi, Consultant Psychiatrist, Psymate Healthcare & Yatharth Super-Speciality Hospitals, said: “Powerful thinking or a positive way of thinking can be a great tool. What it does is focus you on the potential for success in any situation. It can keep you motivated and optimistic. It encourages you to make decisions from a place of strength rather than fear. Power thinkers use their creativity to create positive outcomes. Staying focused and positive in any situation is very important,” he explained.
Adding, Dr Rachna Khanna Singh, a mental wellbeing and relationship expert at Artemis Hospital, said the benefits of positive affirmation are indeed many. “Research shows it helps reduce stress, increase well-being, improve academic performance and make practitioners more open to behavior change. It is a form of self-help; helps you believe in yourself and what you are capable of achieving,” she said indianexpress.com.
Also, life coach Rachelle Indra posted a video on her Instagram explaining the neuroscience behind the syndrome. She claimed that the part of the brain called the reticular activating system (RAS), which is a network of neurons, is the one that monitors our perception of the world. And by saying “I’m lucky” you can train the RAS to filter out negative information and change your mindset.
But are assertions enough?
The trend also has its share of skeptics. Lucky Girl Syndrome is criticized by some saying it is part of the “toxic positivity” movement. In an interview with HarpersBazaar.com, Lisa Quinn, Executive Career Coach, was quoted: “Depending on who you ask, it’s either an empowering practice that can allow you to achieve your dreams by repeating daily affirmations such as ‘Everything is working well for me’ or , it’s a non-inclusive and toxic practice social media trend of rich white girls not checking their own privilege She added that Lucky Girl Syndrome ignores cultural biases and ignores that some people are simply more privileged or “lucky” than others.
Even Dr. Rachna agreed that there are also downsides to positive affirmations. “These seem to work in the short term but not in the long term. And it also doesn’t allow for negative emotions, which are an integral part of everyone’s life,” she added.
So take these trends with a grain of salt. While “thinking positive” is an age-old adage for good reason, be prepared to back it all up with concrete actions or plans.
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