Overcoming the cycle of negative thinking

• Don’t Ignore Negative Thoughts

  A lifetime of learning from difficult situations, our instinct otherwise known as our gut feeling can help us to be alert to situations that need our attention. Acknowledge a negative thought but don’t over analyse instead accept the feeling and rationalise, think calmly about possible solutions before becoming stuck in a negative cycle which can be overwhelming and exhausting. Challenge a negative thought and put a positive spin on it, instead of thinking “I am a failure at my job” switch to a positive thought, “I am still learning and have lots to learn, this will help me to become better and more successful at my job.”

• Practice Happiness

  Feeling happy is a state of mind that comes from within. Part instinct, part learned, happiness takes practice. Take time every day to focus on the good, practice optimism, learn to approach every day with a little more confidence. Remember a happy place or happy moment and focus on the memory, how it made you feel. This practice takes time and doesn’t happen straight away.

• Keep Moving

  Movement can help to reset our thoughts especially when combined with mindfulness practice, go outside, walk in greenspace or near the ocean if possible, take note of your surroundings, feel the air, listen to what is around you, birdsong or the sound of the waves. Spending time outside can be really grounding, try taking off your shoes and feel the grass or sand beneath your feet. Feel connected to nature. There are numerous studies of how spending time outdoors helps us feel connected to nature which has a positive influence on our moods, resulting in stress reduction, less anxiety, better sleep and improved coping mechanisms. We won’t always feel the extremely powerful sensation of awe, defined as admiration and reverence for the nature that surrounds us, although sometimes we will have a glimpse and feel the magnificence of it. Other days we will simply feel a little better and able to face our difficulties with more resilience and maybe even hopefulness.

  NOTE: Opening up to someone you trust, talking about a problem or sharing a worry can help. For some talking to a professional like a GP is beneficial or using a service with trained advisors like The Samaritans or Mind’s info line.