Which means that, even when they are of equal intensity, things of a more negative nature (e.g., unpleasant thoughts, emotions, or social interactions; harmful/traumatic events) have a more significant effect on one’s psychological state and thought processes than neutral or positive things.

Simply put, something very positive will generally have less of an impact on a person’s behavior and cognition than something equally emotional but negative.

The media smartly plays on this fact. And therefore, sells what it can sell the best–indeed, what we are most drawn to: negativity.

Apart from giving a very wrong impression about the world, as it does indeed seem that everything is falling apart from this single standpoint dominating the media, studies have shown that being exposed to these constant negative pulses can also be an actual danger to our physical and mental health.

It has been known for a long time that the emotional content of films and television programs directly affects our mood and changes many aspects of our thinking and behavior.

A movie or TV program that generates negative mood experiences (e.g., anxiety, sadness, anger, disgust) will affect how you interpret events in your own life, what types of memories you recall, and how much you will worry about events in your own life.

Multiple studies have shown that people who consume negative content in the media have reported being significantly more anxious and sadder than those people who watched something either positive or neutral.

Now, what does this all have to do with today’s episode of The IPS Podcast and our guest Kristina Paltén – ultra-runner, two-time world-record holder, adventurer, and all around beautiful soul.