When we feel bad we get tunnel vision.
Conversely, our eyes are able to take in more when we are happy, found
University of Texas psychology professor Adam Anderson.
“Specifically our study shows that when in a positive mood, our visual cortex takes in more information, while negative moods result in tunnel vision," notes Anderson.
“Under positive moods, people may process a greater number of objects in their environment, which sounds like a good thing, but it also can result in distraction,” warned the study’s lead author Taylor Schmitz.
“Good moods enhance the literal size of the window through which we see the world. The upside of this is that we can see things from a more global, or integrative perspective.
The downside is that this can lead to distraction on critical tasks that require narrow focus, such as operating dangerous machinery or airport screening of passenger baggage.
Bad moods, on the other hand, may keep us more narrowly focused, preventing us from integrating information outside of our direct attentional focus," adds Taylor.
I’d rather have the distraction problem and practice staying focussed - and more aware and happy.
If you feel the
same then put photos of smiling people you love where you can see them often -
and smile your way into feeling
better. You’ll be able to take in more of what is happening in your life. To spark that first smile see the Hugging Wall.
