{"id":3112,"date":"2021-06-24T17:03:23","date_gmt":"2021-06-24T21:03:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/life.laseraway.com\/uncategorized\/mind-how-to-break-the-cycle-of-negative-thinking\/"},"modified":"2023-09-06T14:39:28","modified_gmt":"2023-09-06T18:39:28","slug":"how-to-break-the-cycle-of-negative-thinking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/life.laseraway.com\/mind\/how-to-break-the-cycle-of-negative-thinking\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Break The Cycle of Negative Thinking"},"content":{"rendered":"

How you can make positive thoughts and emotions a habit<\/h2>\n

If you have been feeling \u201cstuck\u201d in life, and struggle to break the cycle of negative thoughts, views, and\/or experiences, you are not alone. Whether you have a history of depression or are just going through a difficult time, it may be challenging to have a more positive perspective. You should know, however, that while your current reality may be difficult, you can still learn to develop positive thoughts and emotions.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re like most people, then when you think about healthy habits, you might consider changing your diet, increasing exercise, establishing routines, or starting meditation.\u00a0Which is absolutely wonderful! However, you may not take into consideration the way your thoughts and emotions impact their behavior. You may recognize that you feel down and have intrusive or negative thoughts, but what you don\u2019t realize is that you can actually learn to make a habit of positive thoughts and emotions! Yes, anyone can actually create, shift and change the way they think and feel, just like any physical behavior.<\/p>\n

Our thoughts, emotions and behavior are all related and affected by one another. Thoughts affect behavior. Behavior affects mood. Mood affects thoughts. And so it goes. Understanding this concept is particularly important if you experience negative thoughts and struggle with mental health issues because it might be more challenging finding positives in life.<\/p>\n

Thoughts are part of our covert behavior or mental processes in the human mind. Much like our overt (observable) behavior, they too can be changed.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust be positive\u201d is NOT the answer<\/h2>\n

Ever had someone tell you to just \u201clook on the bright side\u201d or \u201cthink positively\u201d? Doesn\u2019t help, right? In fact, for many, this only promotes \u201ctoxic positivity.\u201d While we make a conscious effort to establish more positive thoughts, it does not mean that we do not, or cannot, experience the opposite. Life ebbs and flows, and with it, there are highs and lows. Saying \u201cthink positive thoughts\u201d perpetuates more negative feelings and emotions of failure and inadequacy. That\u2019s because the process of being positive is rather complex\u2014 it requires skill development and practice.<\/p>\n

In order for you to change any behavioral pattern, you first have to become aware that there is one. Bringing awareness to your thoughts and recognizing when you are experiencing repetitive thoughts will be the most important step. No one can change what they don\u2019t know. The conditions under which you experience these intrusive thoughts can bring to light areas in which you may need support, healing, or to learn a new skill. If your negative thoughts lead to an action, write that down too. Since thoughts impact behavior, it is possible to also change the outcomes of actions.<\/p>\n

When you catch yourself experiencing a negative thought, like:<\/p>\n