By Arlin Cuncic, MA from Very Well Mind
Negative thoughts can contribute to problems such as social anxiety, depression, stress, and low self-esteem. The key to changing your negative thoughts is to understand how you think now (and the problems that result), then use strategies to change these thoughts or make them have less of an effect.
"Our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are all linked, so our thoughts impact how we feel and act. So, although we all have unhelpful thoughts from time to time, it’s important to know what to do when they appear so we don’t let them change the course of our day," explains Rachel Goldman, PhD, a psychologist and clinical assistant professor at the NYU School of Medicine.
Therapy can often be helpful for changing negative thoughts, but you can also learn how to change your thought patterns. This article discusses some of the steps you can take to change your negative thoughts. Some of the ways that you can get rid of negative thoughts include:
- Using mindfulness to build self-awareness
- Identifying negative thoughts
- Replacing negative thoughts with more realistic, positive ones
- Practicing acceptance rather than trying to avoid or deny negative thoughts
- Learning to cope with feedback and criticism
- Using a diary to track your thoughts
Combat Negative Thoughts With Mindfulness
Mindfulness has its roots in meditation.…