Some view positivity as essential to coping with the crisis. They take the chance to slow down and reevaluate, feel grateful to still have a job while balancing school and family life.

But, this unrelenting optimism, known as toxic positivity, views negative emotions as a failure or weakness. Failing to acknowledge hardships can have a detrimental effect on our mental health.

Tragic optimism assumes there is hope and meaning to be found in life while also acknowledging the existence of loss, pain and suffering.

Austrian psychologist Viktor Frankl first defined 'Tragic optimism' in 1985, and proponents maintain people can experience both...