Article: THE NEGATIVE SIDE TO POSITIVE THINKING; Millions of us turn to optimistic self-help books when we feel down. But could looking on the bright side be bad for you?(Features)

Byline: by Lorna Martin

THE new VW Passat advert has a newly redundant man emerging from his office carrying a cardboard box. The bottom falls out of the box, and his possessions scatter everywhere.

He doesn't burst into tears, scream or ram his fist into the nearest wall. Instead, this guy decides to look on the bright side. He skips gaily around the recession-hit city, gives his last penny to a stranger, accepts a parking ticket without complaint, then jumps into his Passat, drives into a tunnel and, we are to assume, lives happily ever after.

All the time he's belting out Morecambe and Wise's catchy tune Positive Thinking. 'When you feel ...

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