When we constantly feel overwhelmed it can be hard to imagine when this cycle will end. You may have tried practicing seeing the good, just to end up consumed with negative thinking patterns and emotions. Even though it is difficult, it is important to see the positive in things.
Constant negativity can greatly impact mental health problems. Negative thinking can cause us to have doubt within our choices and actions, as well as feeling overly anxious for what is to come. But there are many ways to help overcome and stop seeing only the negative in every situation.
Negative thinking can have us feeling down about ourselves and our future. Negative thinking can become a lifelong bad habit. It can be difficult to listen to the “look on the bright side” phrases, but these tips below may actually help you see the good.
What negative thinking can cause:
- Anxiety disorders
- Increased stress
- Depression
- PTSD
- OCD
- Panic Disorders
- Problems with sleep
- A lack in proper nutrition
- & More
We must change the relationship we have with our thoughts in order to change the way that we think. Do not engage but recognize all thoughts. It is important to understand how to be fully in the present when negative thoughts occur.
Ways to stop seeing only the negative in everything:
- Create and practice mindfulness
Mindfulness allows us to be aware of the present. Take a second to look around you, what do you see, hear, or even smell? Is your attention focusing on something specific? Mindfulness can be worked on daily by incorporating meditation or even yoga. Mindfulness can greatly lower anxiety and increase relaxation and positivity.
- Identify your irrational thoughts
It is important to understand these thoughts in order to challenge your relationship with them, as well as any patterns with these thoughts. Do you overanalyze situations because of past experiences? Do you look at the worst-case scenario in all situations? Understanding the thoughts that you have can help you challenge and create new and positive beliefs.
- Try CBT techniques
A cognitive behavioral therapy techniques that can help with negative thinking is thought stopping. This is when you recognize the thought, tell yourself to stop, and then tell yourself to calm. Create a happy place in your mind to create calmness. This can help our brain to stop thinking of the negative thoughts over time.
- Start a gratitude journal
This allows us to write down when we are grateful for something. This can be looked back on when negative thoughts occur to see positive times.
Being positive and seeing the positive in situations can be very challenging sometimes. Sometimes we may be facing so many challenges at once, that our brain has a hard time seeing any of the good. We must be willing to identify and accept these thoughts and feelings, but to also face and change them as well.
Do you ever think to yourself, “my life will not get better” or “I should accept that these challenges will not get easier”? This may mean that you are looking through a negative lens at life. Incorporating positivity in your life can be challenging and take time, but all good things take time.
Start by practicing mindfulness daily to be more in the present. Try techniques such as thought stopping and using a gratitude journal. These can help you replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
If you are still struggling, therapy can be a great tool to help identify irrational thoughts and replace them with more rational and positive ones. Do not be afraid to reach out to a therapist for help to increase your overall health and well-being.
