A surprising number of my patients have a problem with intrusive negative thoughts. These are patients with no diagnosis of mental disorder but they are unable to get certain negative thoughts from pervading their everyday psyche.
Everybody has negative thoughts. Sometimes these thoughts can be simply a passing idea or notion, or could be the resultant of a negative situation or reaction. For some, negative thoughts can be a recurring theme within their lives.
Here are 3 quick prescriptions that can help reduce negative thoughts:
1. Take the Time to Think
Negative thoughts are often a stress response helping us relieve tension caused by unpleasant events or situations. When negative thoughts arise take the time to think and reflect about what is causing such maligned thoughts. In most cases negative thoughts are caused by and directed towards other people. If that is the case try to put that person out of mind. This includes communication with that person, tracking their social media, or talking about that person negatively with your peers or your partner.
When you start thinking about something negative, stop, find a quiet place where you feel most comfortable and begin to reflect.
2. Get Clinical
Abating negative thoughts requires effort. Like anything in life, in order to achieve something requires an investment in time and exertion; not to mention the universal shedding of blood, sweat and tears.
Success is usually based on repeating a set of successive steps that work. In the same manner, make a plan that you can follow whenever you start having negative thoughts. This can include finding a place of solitude, engaging in exercise, going for a tasty meal, or better yet doing all three.
3. Flip the Switch
Getting rid of negative thoughts is never as easy as flipping a switch, however the choice to address them should be like a switch going off in your head. Dwelling on negative thoughts and allowing them to pervade your mind can lead to depression or other negative behaviors.
Before negative thoughts become more than just bad things that you are thinking about, flip the switch and make a purposeful and rational decision to acknowledge your thoughts and taking the appropriate steps to stop them. Regardless of whether you want to or not, to address the thoughts that you’re having and making a plan to clear them from your mind is the most important step in reducing negative thoughts.
Do you have any recurring negative, worrisome thoughts that are causing you stress? Flip the switch.