How To Stop Negative Thoughts (To Achieve More Everyday)?
Would you not be more productive if you stop pondering on negative things and navigate that energy to actually doing something substantial?
Of course, you would!
But then there’s no button in our system that can switch our thoughts in a second. The process itself takes a progressive course that demands consistent efforts on our end.
Especially if you have grown up in a negative environment where complaining and entitlement were prevalent, you’re going to face several hardships in destroying your pessimistic framework to welcome positive changes.
But that “hardship” is very well worth it when you realize just how life-altering is eliminating negative thoughts from our vocabulary.
Make The Changes
Reinforcing more of optimistic ideologues is the most fundamental element of a happier, successful and more fulfilling life. That reinforcement requires you to effectively deal with your pessimistic side first.
So, if you’re someone who struggles with obsessive negative thoughts, follow these 10 effective tips:
1. Understand your problems
“I am a negative person” – that’s not a problem. That’s a symptom to assumingly several other underlying problems.
So, identify those problems. Understand them better. Do you have negative thoughts because of the people around you? Do you think negatively because you don’t have a career plan?
The better you understand the problems, the easier will it get in finding (and implementing) the solutions.
2. Change your narrative
Stop saying that you’re a negative person! Stop telling it to yourself that “I have a lot of negative thoughts”.
Such narratives do nothing but latch in your subconscious, eventually becoming self-fulfilling.
Change your affirmations to something positive.
3. Start doing meditation (from today)
You have likely heard the seamless benefits of meditation plenty of times by now. They are all true.
Meditation helps calm your mind, enabling you to better control your thoughts.
So, not “tomorrow”! Irrespective of the time it is right now, sit straight and meditate for at least 10 minutes. Close your eyes (or not) and focus.
4. Surround yourself with the right people
It gets a lot easier when you’re hanging out with the right people.
Positivity and happiness, after all, are contagious.
So, surround yourself with the right crew that radiates a positive vibe; people who encourage you; people who make you feel better.
At the same time, get away from those individuals who are negative. Even if they are your best friends and cousins, maintain a sufficient distance from them.
5. Have passionate goals
When you’re chasing a goal that you’re passionate about, you wouldn’t spare yourself with a lot of time to think negatively, would you?!
So, if you don’t already have one, find a passionate goal. And then every day, work towards it without distracting yourself by thinking about things that do not matter.
6. Help people around you
Helping others releases oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine.
These are feel-good hormones that we need in sufficient amounts to feel upbeat and happy.
So, donate your money and time to those who need them. Look for ways how you can help others and make their days better.
7. Stop expecting anything from anyone
Expectations leave you vulnerable to disappointments – because a lot of people in life will very certainly fail your expectations, including the closest ones.
And these (big and small) disappointments always come with negative thoughts in abundance.
So, a simple solution to better deal with them is to not expect anything from anyone from the go.
8. Consume positive content
It’s quite simple: If you’re consuming negative articles and videos, you will be swarmed by negative thoughts. If you’re exposing yourself to something positive, you will feel positive.
So, give your social media feeds and browser’s history a hard look.
If you’re spending time reading negative articles and unnecessary videos, you might want to change that.
9. Focus on your health
To a large extent, how you are physically is how you will feel psychologically.
If you’re in good health condition wherein there are no chemical imbalances in your body, you will automatically have a positive outlook on many things.
So, start eating the right foods. Start exercising daily; even the moderate workout counts.
10. Put in the consistent work
It won’t happen in a week or a month.
Redefining your mindset to flock from negative thoughts and adopt a positive framework will take time.
Moreover, it takes a lot of hard work and consistency. If you’re not ready to put in the persistent efforts, you will remain in the same ditch.
Conclusion
These are 10 effective ways on how you can stop your negative thoughts and stride forward towards the positive ones.
Remember, as mentioned earlier, a positive mindset is the most essential element to live a happier, successful and content life.
So, if you’re not ready to give your mind a positive spin, you will never really feel all the true gifts that life really promises.