Stop Negative Thoughts
Watch your thoughts, they become words
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your DESTINY
— Author Unknown
What Exactly Are Negative Thoughts?
It is normal to have a few negative thoughts. The problem is when we start to believe they are true and can’t dismiss them. Accept the thoughts as your own. Do not fight them or go into self-denial, the negative thoughts will only get stronger (and louder). Negative thought patterns can be destructive.
Change your thoughts and you will change your life. You can train your mind to focus on the good things in your life rather than dwelling on the bad.
Here are a few examples of habitual negative thoughts:
* I have bad luck
* They don’t like me
* It’s all my fault
* I am stupid
* This is too good to be true
* Nobody will date/marry me because I’m too shy
Mind-body Connection
From ancient times history has recorded the consequences of negative thoughts and how this influenced negative behavior. Today with the advancement in medical sciences and psychology there is the evidence that our thought pattern, if positive can either make us heal faster. Conversely, negative thought pattern can exacerbate certain types of illnesses.
Mind-body medicine uses the power of thoughts and emotion to influence physical health (University of Maryland Medical Center). It has been recognized that much of our health is controlled by our brain, how we think, react, and trust in our belief system (The Center for Mind-Body Medicine).
Changing the Negative Thought Pattern
Improve your relationships, your state of mind and indeed your health by changing the negative thought pattern. It is a win-win situation to gain more vitality and a bright, positive outlook on life. The bonus is that others will want to be around you and enjoy your company (even if you are not the talkative type).
A stepwise approach to breaking the habit and dissolving limited beliefs
Step 1: Think of the negative thought you wish to transform and give it an image
Step 2: Conjure up a powerful positive thought
Step 3: Turn that powerful positive thought into an image
Step 4: Mentally chain the two images (positive and negative)
Step 5: Practice doing this until it is practically impossible to think the ‘negative thought’ again.
A practical example is trying to overcome shyness. The negative image could be standing naked in front of a jeering crowd. The positive replacement image is that of you a powerful CEO of a successful company addresses a cheering group of persons.
Tips to maintain a more positive outlook on life
* Practice an exercise that helps you to be still, calm and in control
* Smile more, it’s a boost to your self-esteem
* Spend time in the company of positive, happy successful people
* Resist the temptation to play the victim, take responsibility for your actions
* Do random acts of kindness and be more helpful to those around you
* Break the habit of wanting to be perfect. Lighten up!
* Sing your favorite songs. You will feel better.
* Practice having a heart of gratitude. At the end of every day just think of things you are grateful for.
* Post positive quotes all around you (in the car, on the fridge, the bathroom mirror, the computer)
To stop (the habit) of negative thoughts, takes time and practice. You may need professional help or the support of friends and family. Make this a project to take back control or your beautiful mind.
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