Hey there! Its a newbie here. Welcome to my mental health blog. I’m more than excited to start with “CURBING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS” I hope you get away with something worthy this world mental health day 2020.
What are thoughts? And what are negative ones?
Thoughts are simply what goes through our minds, the planning, wondering, hoping, imagining and remembering.
Just add a negative to those words( *makes it negative thoughts). The kind of things we think of that are negative perceptions, expectations or attributions associated with unpleasant emotions and adverse behavioral, physiological, and health outcomes. Plus all we think of that lowers our moods.
Taaaddaaaa!!! “That’s negative thoughts “
Usually they keep us in a very unhealthy vicious cycle of negative thought—negative emotions/low mood —behavior—negative thought recurring
How can you know its a negative thought?
Sounds obvious but we shall still go through it(briefly). Find some time for self evaluation and see if what you’ve been thinking or going through ends in lowered mood, or reminds you of a cascade of events that will still end in lowered mood, or mild depression. If this sounds relatable. STOP⚠️⚠️⚠️ Low mood in relation to negative thoughts detected!!
Strategies to break the chains of negative thoughts.
Core strategy is “be aware of your negative thoughts” I mean, how can you work on something you’re not aware of?!?
Now let’s break that toxic cycle.
Put your thoughts on trial.
Sounds complex because negative thoughts are usually automatic and not in our conscious awareness.
Here’s how you’ll have to do it.(don’t forget to give it time and keep practicing the habit)
Answer these:
1. What happened; note the time, date, the thought, how much you believed the thought and then rate the feeling after(scale of 1-10)
2. What went through your mind; what did you see, what did you tell yourself and to what extent did you believe that thought. Then rate the feeling after(scale of 1-10)
Go for counseling.
I’ll always emphasize this. Please and please make counselling sessions a normal. For just one reason, chances are high its the only place you’ll never be judged for what you’re going through, that’s a plus for you.
Find solutions to the trigger.
This is already your speciality genius! For a simple reason that the world is full of people, if yourself can’t find solutions, consult someone. We’re one big family.
Distraction.
How about you get some alternative positive thoughts? The emotions after will definitely be ( as expected ,good enough to protect your pretty mind from trashy thought) in relation to the positive thoughts. To make is easier get into an activity (hobby) to get you off the negative thoughts.
Practice mindfulness and self compassion.
Darling! You deserve some kindness from you too! Let go of self-resentment.
Allocate some worry time.
“Did she just say worry time” Yes deary, I said it. Find some time, go on, and worry. You need it! This will prepare you to bounce back into bad situations like a boss!
Give it time, cry, worry and move on after the worry time.
⚠️⚠️⚠️IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVISE
MindYourMind 