How To Reverse Negative Thinking Patterns

If you want to make a change to your life, the number one way to do so is by reversing your negative thinking patterns. However, thought patterns which are deeply engrained in your mind can be difficult to reverse. Below are some tips to help you reverse negative thinking patterns so that you can go on to live a happier and more positive life.

1. Address Your Inner Critic

How many times a day do you think bad things about yourself? And how do you feel after you think these things? Pretty bad right? It really doesn't need to be that way.

It’s time to put these critical thoughts to rest. Every time you have a thought which is critically thinking about something you are doing, ask yourself if that thought is true.

And if the answer is yes, then ask yourself if you have evidence to back up that thought. If you don’t, the thought is clearly false and can’t be true. Another method you can try is simply stopping critical thoughts in their tracks and telling yourself that you won’t be engaging in those thoughts anymore.

2. Know What Triggers You

There are likely certain activities in your everyday life which trigger negative thought patterns. A common example is looking in the mirror and thinking you aren’t good-looking enough. If looking in the mirror is what triggers you, it’s time to avoid spending time standing and staring into the glass.

Of course, you can’t always avoid looking in the mirror, but once you know your triggers, you can prepare yourself in advance with mantras and other positive thinking so that you won’t think the negative thoughts the minute you start the activity.

3. Journal

Another way to combat negative thinking patterns is by writing about them. Sometimes you may not even be aware of all the negative thoughts which may go through your head during a single day. And, while these thoughts may seem serious in your mind, they may seem a lot less serious on paper.

Every evening, sit down with your journal and work through your thoughts from the day. This is also a good time to develop mantras or other positive counter measures to help you better deal with the negative thinking patterns when you are away from your journal the next day.

4. Change Your Surroundings

When you feel as if your thoughts are taking over your mind and you can’t seem to quiet them down, this is when you should definitely take a break from your surroundings. This doesn’t mean you need to move homes or anything crazy, but just stepping out of the room you are in can help and creating space for yourself. It’s best if you head for a walk in nature, or arrange to see a friend, as both of these activities will help distract you from the negative thoughts until your more rational side can take over.

Even if you can’t leave your surroundings, even just changing from the activity you are doing to something else can help. Take a break from what is frustrating you and do something you enjoy. This is a great time to add meditation or exercise into your daily routine as you take a break from your frustrations.

No matter how you look at it, negative thinking patterns which have been engrained in your mind can be difficult to escape. But if you start developing positive mantras, and using them to address your inner critic, you’ll quickly find yourself on to road to positivity.

Remember to use the powers of journaling and changing your environment as you work through breaking out of the trap of negative thinking.