Negative thinking can become a dangerous habit. The thoughts sink into the mind and stay there until you take steps to get rid of them.
When you start to think negatively, it can be tempting to try force those thoughts out of your head. Try to make them disappear and expel them forever. But this approach often backfires.
Fighting those negative thoughts can actually reinforce that thought pattern by making things worse. The more you try not to think about something, the more you end up thinking about it.
Getting rid of negative thoughts requires trying a different approach, something that helps clear your mind once and for all. Here are seven ways to clear your mind of negative thoughts.
1. Change body language
Take a moment to observe your body language. Are you hunched over or in a closed posture? Do you frown? If so, you will be more likely to think negatively. Inappropriate body language can lower your self-esteem and lead to a lack of confidence. In that emotional state, it is natural to start having bad thoughts.
To feel safe you must open your posture and smile plus. Correct your body language and you will feel much better. It could be just what you need to erase those negative thoughts.
2. Talk about the topic
Sometimes negative thinking appears because they exist problems or emotions you need to communicate. It is not good to keep things to yourself. If there is something that needs to be discussed you should do it. Putting thoughts into words shapes them and makes them visible, and that will help you put problems in perspective so you can deal with them more effectively.
3. Try to empty your mind for a minute
When your mind is racing, it can be difficult to stay calm. In this way, it is more difficult to control thoughts, especially negative ones. A minute of calm is often enough. Meditation can be very helpful, and you should think of it as a reboot. Once the mind is empty, it can be filled with something more positive.
4. Change the focus of your thoughts
Sometimes negative thinking is the result of a bad perspective. Take a look at the point of view you take on the things that happen around you. For example, instead of thinking, "I'm going through a difficult time and I'm having problems," you might think, "I think I'm facing some challenges, but I'm working on finding solutions."
Basically, you are saying the same thing to yourself, except that the second way has a more positive point of view. Often times that small shift in focus can make a big difference to your thinking patterns.
5. Be creative
When negative thoughts come it is very useful find a creative outlet for those thoughts. Write things down. Draw or paint something. Exploring emotions through creativity acts as self-therapy and will elevate your mood. The creativity it can feel like a release. When you process your emotions through an art form or creativity, you are breaking the habitual dynamics of your thoughts and it will be easier for you to understand and control them.
6. Take a walk
Because thoughts reside in the mind, it is easy to assume that this is where they are formed. But that is only partially true. Sometimes our thoughts are the product of our environment. For example, if you are surrounded by negative people, it is likely that you begin to think negatively as well.
Getting away from this negative environment can help considerably. Taking a short walk with your head somewhere like a park or a museum may be enough. The time you spend away from negative influences will provide you with a necessary space of tranquility.
7. List everything that is worthwhile in your life
Have you forgotten all the good things around you? Sometimes in the daily routine, we lose focus on the reasonably good things that are present in our lives. You must train your mind to return to focus on all the good that happens around you.
List each of the things you should be thankful for, no matter how small they seem to be. Don't take anything for granted in this regard. Sometimes the good things in our lives are right in front of our faces and we still can't see them. Stop being blind to all the positive things you already have.
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