Negative thoughts, dark scenarios about everything that can go wrong, prevent you from realizing your full potential. They persuade and bully you into staying in your comfort zone. They cause you doubts and insecurities that feed your beliefs that you are not good enough and worthy of love.
Although it is clear to you that the mind is undermining you and that you should not give it this power, you do not know from the vicious circle.
Here are ways to actively work on redirecting and overcoming negative thoughts.
1. Create a support base
When you have a negative thought, you need to counterbalance it - positivism. You may find it difficult to believe your positive thoughts, so a strategy that will fool the mind is needed here.
Make a database of positive thoughts, that is, words that you can find in books, anywhere. Write them down. Write down good things about yourself, share them with friends, online. At a time when you feel that there is nothing positive for you in the whole world, return to them, to beautiful records about you, about your achievements.
2. Surround yourself with words of encouragement
Use quotes that you like, that ring true to you, and that you see as affirmations that are close to you. Write them down, cut them out of newspapers, make collages and hang them everywhere - on the board above the desk, on the fridge, on the phone, stick on the mirror, kitchen elements. Every time you look at them, take a moment to repeat them and feel their power on your subconscious. Believe in them.
You say positive affirmations. Photo: Nick Fewings/Unsplash3. Be aware of your body language and change it
Walk upright, push your shoulders back, raise your head. Relax your hands, let them move freely in the rhythm of your steps, relax your hips. Walk like you're moving across the dance floor, like you're sailing.
Smile at everyone who looks at you in the corridor, at the sellers in the store, at the market. Relax your jaw, don't grind your teeth, look around and you will notice that you have been noticed, that others are watching you. Smile at it and feel your confidence grow.
4. Censorship of media content
If the daily news makes you feel sick, don't listen to it. Turn off the TV. Choose content that inspires and appeals to you, even if you only watch quizzes and romantic comedies.
If you feel bad about the perfect photos that others post online, unfollow them or simply close the profiles and pages that bother you. You don't need any toxic content.
5. Take selfies
Shoot when you're in a good mood. Make an album of such photos and the next time you feel sad, unattractive, browse through this content. Half an hour of pampering, looking at smiling and cute photos, will bring warmth to your heart.
Banish negative thoughts. Dance! Photo: Jernej Graj / Unsplash6. Write down your negative thoughts and tear them up
This is a great way to channel negative charge. Materialize negative thoughts by writing them down on paper. Write down everything you feel, then take a piece of paper and tear it up with pleasure and express your pain. It is a very liberating feeling, you will feel physically relieved.
7. Listen to music you like
Something happy, rhythmic, sing and dance to it. Music will put you in a good mood.
8. Take care of your body
A healthier diet, more sleep - all this will balance your hormones and increase the flow of good hormones (serotonin, endorphins, dopamine) that naturally lift your mood.
9. Be creative
When you feel a wave of pain, anxiety draw it. Write a poem. Do something to focus your emotions on. Use your painful and dark mood to create something beautiful and unique. This will help you transform negative emotions.
10. Get help
Negative thoughts have deeper causes and programs in the mind that you need to find and reprogram. You probably can't do it on your own, especially if you've had such a negative mindset all your life. So seek the help of a therapist, it could be the best adventure of your life.
