Negative thinking is one of the hurdles you have to overcome during the recovery process. Although negative thinking isn’t a bad thing by itself (after all, the ability to think negatively is tied up to the evolutionary process). But if you’re in a vulnerable place right now, negative thinking can probably do more harm than good. Without further ado, here are our top tips to stop negative thinking in its tracks.
Write A Journal
One of the easiest ways to monitor your thoughts and prevent a full on depression is to chronicle your day. Writing down even the most mundane happenings of your day can help you figure out your triggers and stop negative thinking. Do take note that journalling isn’t limited to writing down on an actual notebook. You can opt for micro-blogging platforms like Tumblr or use apps like Evernote or just use a good old notepad app. Just remember to jot down whatever comes to mind and if it’s negative, tell yourself this: it’s not as bad as I think it is. Sometimes, we really just fear the worst although the worst is yet to come.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness can mean different things for different people. Basically, mindfulness is an extension of meditation. When you meditate for a certain amount of time, you let yourself be free of all kinds of thinking and just exist in the present. Although meditation may sound like something hippies will do, there’s a science behind this practice and most scientists say that meditation and mindfulness helps to lessen stress and anxiety. So whether you have 5 minutes to spare or a more generous 30 minutes, start meditating and maintaining a mindful approach to life.
Invest Your Time In A Few Hobbies
According to LifeHacker, a person should have three hobbies to make the most out of his/her time: a hobby that generates income, a hobby that keeps you creative, and a hobby that helps you to stay fit. Sometimes, all you really need are hobbies to get passionate about. Think about it this way, if you don’t have extra time to feel or think negative, you can allot more time to things that will make you a better person overall.
Be Aware Of Negative Thoughts (Then Reverse Them)
If you catch yourself thinking negative thoughts, try to step back and take a rational approach. Don’t be afraid to dissect your own thoughts and ask yourself: is there a rational basis for what I just thought? Am I being too pessimistic? Am I just overreacting?
Sometimes, negative thoughts can spiral out of control and lead to a depression. This is the number one reason why at this point in time, it’s better to filter out the negative and welcome the positive. Focusing on the positive can also help you focus on your journey to recovery instead of on other, less important stuff.