Humans are pre-wired to focus on the negative aspects of life. This serves a purpose for survival but sometimes it tries to run the show and problems start to occur. We may develop automatic negative thoughts or view things through a negative lens. If you are like me and you struggle with negative thinking; try these things to overcome those thinking patterns. Try these 5 things to overcome negative thinking:
1. SPEND TIME IN NATURE:
Spending time in nature helps to release happy feeling hormones. We also feel more grounded. I recall having a horrible week at work and I was feeling tension in my body. I just wanted to escape! I decided to go for a hike. As I climbed up the mountain I thought about all of the negative things that were going on in my life. When I reached the mountain peak I recall looking down at the city and realizing how small my problems were. I shifted my thinking to focus on gratitude. My hike back down the mountain was much more pleasant.
2. START A MORNING POSITIVITY JOURNAL
Writing is an amazing tool that can be used to overcome all types of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Writing help us to form a narrative or story about our situation. By focusing our writing on only the positive things in our life we elevate our thinking for the day. I always recommend using a real note book and a pen. Something about physically writing tends to slow down our thinking and offers a moment to process. If all else fails, you can use a journaling app or notepad on your phone.
3. SPEND TIME WITH FRIENDS
Spending time with safe and trusted friends can boost happy hormones. Spending time with friends who focus on positivity and growth can help us to have a more positive outlook. We may feel more optimistic and motivated. Many entrepreneurs take time out of their day to connect with other successful friends as a way to re-charge and develop new ideas.
4. APPS
HAPPIFY is an app that you can find in the app store. The free components of the app are very helpful and applicable to transforming negative thinking. Other exercises and tools are available for an additional cost. I use the free version and it has helped me to recognize positive moments. You are able to post pictures and set / achieve goals. There is only so much work that I am able to do in a 1-hour therapy session. The real therapy happens between session. Apps like HAPPIFY offer the skills and guidance one may need in between sessions. There are a few other apps that can help for positive thinking if search on the app store.
5. Boost your Awareness
Bringing attention to automatic negative thinking is the foundation. Building our ability to be aware and mindful of our thinking gives us an advantage. We no longer passively allow negative thinking to occur but we take control of our thoughts. Our thoughts connect to our feelings and also our behaviors. When we focus on positive things we feel better. Bringing an increasing awareness to our thought patterns can open a doorway to personal empowerment and transformative thinking.
If you feel that you need more 1:1 guidance with controlling negative thoughts. Shoot me a Text or Give me a call.
Kyle Giblin MPA/MSW LMSW
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