3 Ways to Control Negative Thoughts

Here are my favorite ways to control negative thoughts and calm down mind noise.

• Meditation –  Awareness is the first step in eliminating unnecessary thoughts. Just the act of closing your eyes and focusing on deep breaths is enough to activate the‘relaxation response’. This helps slow down our thinking by literally creating space between our thoughts. This practice is known to help us  detach from emotional reactions and give us the clarity to respond appropriately to situations. Meditation can help  train your mind in a positive way, in the same way exercise can train your body.

• Challenging or creative activity – Engaging in  activity such as writing, drawing, exercise, reading or doing something that you are extremely passionate about is an easy way to enter a state of ‘flow’. This is the mental state of mind where you  feel completely immersed in the present moment, fully engaged with energized focus and joy.  While in the flow state, that bill you have to pay in 2 months suddenly weighs a lot less on your mind and will most likely disappear altogether, being replaced with overwhelming appreciation of the moment.

• Gratitude –  Being thankful is a powerful way to put things in perspective. Practicing daily gratitude might be the most effective strategy for eliminating unwanted thoughts by focusing our attention on the positive things that we tend to overlook (such as the ability to stand up in the morning, move our hands and see clearly.)   Studies have proven that those who practice grateful thinking feel better about their lives as a whole, and are more optimistic about the future.

http://www.mindbodyvortex.com/control-negative-thoughts/