Do you find yourself distracted by negative thoughts? You’ve come to the right place.
With at least 6,000 thoughts a day running through your mind, a few of them are bound to be negative. The trouble is, when they take over our minds, negative thoughts can interfere with everyday activities, interrupt sleep, and prevent us from leading happy, healthy lives. This is common with anxiety and depression.
That’s why we put together this step-by-step process on how to acknowledge and practice letting go of recurring negative thoughts. This comes from the perspective of not only a yoga instructor, but someone in recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and years of anxious, depressive thoughts.
It can be difficult to let go of negative thoughts and feelings, but there are some strategies that can be helpful in managing them:
Practice mindfulness: Pay attention to the present moment and try to let go of any judgments or negative thoughts. This can help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings and let them pass without getting caught up in them.
Engage in self-care: Take care of your physical and emotional well-being by getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet, and engaging in activities that you enjoy.
Seek support: Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional about your negative thoughts and feelings. They can offer you perspective and help you find ways to cope.
Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself and remember that everyone has negative thoughts and feelings at times. Try to speak to yourself the way you would speak to a friend.
Engage in activities that bring you joy: Find activities that bring you joy and make time for them in your life. This can help you refocus your attention and improve your mood.
Use positive self-talk: Try to replace negative thoughts with more positive, realistic ones. For example, instead of thinking “I’m a failure,” try thinking “I made a mistake, but I can learn from it and do better next time.”
Seek professional help: If your negative thoughts and feelings are persistent and interfere with your daily life, consider seeking help from a mental health professional. They can work with you to identify the underlying causes of your negative thoughts and develop strategies to manage them.
