Negative thoughts are a challenge for so many people and it can be hard to break the cycle, but not impossible. Whether it’s a tendency to catastrophise, limiting self-doubt or overwhelming worry, you’re certainly not alone if you are having negative thoughts. However, there is hope and with the right tools, negative thoughts can be overcome and thinking patterns can be changed. Check out these positive ways to challenge negative thoughts and build your self-confidence.
Recognising negative thought patterns
It’s important to recognise and understand these thoughts in order to get past them. Try and observe your thoughts and maybe note them down, without judgement and without criticising yourself. Avoid phrases like ‘I’m being silly’ or ‘This is pointless’ and be kind to yourself. Try and understand where these thoughts might come from and recognise when they aren’t accurate or based on past bad experiences.
Seek help from an expert
It can often be incredibly helpful to get an outside perspective from a health psychologist who can work through these thoughts with you. Therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy are designed to help you change negative thoughts by identifying them, evaluating them and then replacing them with a new, more helpful thought. They can help you to challenge unrealistic expectations and deal with relationship issues caused by negative thinking.
Dealing with negative thoughts
It’s also a really good idea to discover and practise some healthy ways to deal with stress if you’re stuck in a spiral of negative thoughts. Techniques like calming the mind, introducing routines and practising mindfulness can be a great way to break out negative thinking if you’re stuck on a thought. Taking time for self-care and adopting positive affirmations can also help you to deal with negative thoughts which are holding you back.
Get in touch
If you’re struggling to challenge your negative thoughts alone, sometimes talking to a professional can be truly life-changing. Don’t wait for things to change, take the first step and contact me today to recognise those negative thoughts and find new ways to overcome them.
