Ever tried tickling yourself? Next time you have a private moment, give it a go – you’ll find it next to impossible. With a few well-placed wiggles of the fingers, most of us could send children, friends and even some animals like rats into fits of giggles. The reason we can’t do the same to ourselves has long been a puzzle, but one that we may now be closer than ever to solving. Understanding it requires a deep dive into the workings of the brain; for such a playful activity, the science of tickling is surprisingly sophisticated.

The science of tickling: why the brain won’t let us tickle ourselves

Little brain The cerebellum, or ‘little brain’, is found at the nape of the neck. It is central to the control of our bodies’ movements but it is also thought to play a crucial role overseeing cognitive processing. Think of the brain like a factory with different parts processing different information and the cerebellum is the quality control supervisor. Neuroscientists suspect that the cerebellum sends signals to dial down the perception of tickling in the somatosensory cortex when it is our own fingers, not someone else’s, at work. Dr Kilteni’s fMRI studies lend weight to that hypothesis.

How you respond to a sensation such as tickling depends on whether it is created by you or someone else.

The first thing to understand about our inability to self-tickle is that it’s just one example of a widespread phenomenon: humans respond differently to touch depending on whether the sensation was created by ourselves or something else.

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Passive positivity is not about denying or suppressing negative emotions; instead, it is a conscious choice to approach life with a positive mindset. By embracing this mindset, individuals can transform their perspectives, nurture healthier relationships, and build resilience, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and joyful life.

Passive Positivity: Embracing Positivity in Everyday Life

Sara a working professional facing a difficult situation at her job. Due to company restructuring, Sara's role was downsized, and she was reassigned to a position with fewer responsibilities and a lower pay scale. Initially, Sara felt disappointed and frustrated by this change. She began reframing her mindset and focusing on the positive aspects of her new role. She reminded herself that the change presented an opportunity for personal growth and learning. She actively sought out new challenges within her job and explored ways to make a meaningful impact in her reduced scope of work.

Reframing your mindset

Sara adopted a gratitude practice, where she regularly reflected on the positive aspects of her life and expressed appreciation for them. She maintained a gratitude journal, noting down things she was grateful for each day, such as supportive colleagues, good health, and a stable income.By practicing passive positivity, Sara noticed several positive changes in her life. Firstly, she experienced improved emotional well-being. By consciously choosing to focus on the positive aspects of her situation, she felt a sense of contentment and optimism.

Practice Gratitude Daily

Second, Sara noticed improved connections with her coworkers. She was more personable and collaborative because of her upbeat attitude and willingness for change. She created a positive work environment. This upbeat environment increased productivity by fostering better teamwork. She develops resilience in the face of future difficulties thanks to passive positivity. She learned to think positively in challenging circumstances, which helped her recover more quickly and successfully. Her ability to overcome challenges with grace and tenacity made her resilience a great asset.

Be Resilience 

Conclusion: Passive Positivity

Passive positivity is important because it helps individuals maintain a positive outlook and mindset in their everyday lives. It allows them to focus on the positive aspects of situations, fostering happiness, resilience, and healthy relationships. By embracing passive positivity, individuals can experience greater well-being and personal growth, even in the face of challenges and adversity.

The science of tickling: why the brain won’t let us tickle ourselves

PASSIVE POSITIVITY

Lian Marquez