Stress sucks! And when we’re stressed out, it’s easy to develop negative thinking patterns.Our challenges frustrate us and we’re overwhelmed.
This negative outlook then makes it even harder for us to manage those challenges and break through the stress cycle.
Practicing positive thinking helps to focus on our strengths and accomplishments, which increases happiness and motivation. That way, we can spend more making progress and less time feeling down.
Tips:
1. Take Good Care of Yourself
It’s much easier to be positive when you are eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest.
2. Remember to be Grateful
Challenges don’t seem quite as bad when you remind yourself of the good things.I ask my clients to write down three pieces of gratitude every night before bed.
Challenges don’t seem quite as bad when you remind yourself of the good things.I ask my clients to write down three pieces of gratitude every night before bed.
3. Don’t Make Assumptions
A fear of not being liked or accepted sometimes leads us to wrongly assume that we know what others are thinking. If you’re a friend or family member’s bad mood is your fault – ask them.
Don’t waste time worrying that you did something wrong unless you have proof.
4. Forget about Absolutes
Have you ever told a partner “You’re ALWAYS late!” or complained to a friend “You NEVER call me!”?
Absolutes make things seem worse than they are.
5. Say “See ya!” to Negative Thoughts
Your thoughts can’t hold any power over you if you detach from it, witness it, and don’t follow it.
6. Squash the “ANTs”
In his book “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life,” Dr. Daniel Amen talks about “ANTs” – Automatic Negative Thoughts. These are the bad thoughts that are usually reactionary, like “Those people are laughing, they must be talking about me.” When you have these thoughts, squash them.
YOU’VE GOT THIS!!
