How to Change Negative Thinking and Create a Positive Life
We all do our best to stay positive, but sometimes we can slide into bad thinking patterns that can cause chaos in our lives. We may worry about our past mistakes; have regrets or current problems, and how these could lead to negative consequences in the future. We might preoccupy our mind or over-analyze regular experiences and situations, reading into them things that aren’t actually real. We might find that as soon as one bad thing happens, we associate it with all the other bad things that have happened in our lives and begin to feel depressed. We might feel worried in the present-day, having a hard time getting out of our own heads as we worry and obsess about the things that could go wrong.
If you find yourself in this state of mind often, you are what psychologists call an over-thinker, and this way of thinking can be detrimental to your mental and physical health. Psychologists have found that over-thinking can lead to depression, misery and fatigue, especially in women, who are much more likely than men to think about stresses and dissatisfactions.
In today’s society, with negative news coverage, commercials that evoke fear, and all the things happening in society, it’s easy for negative thought patterns to take root. Many people who think negatively are wonderful people who value relationships and care deeply for the people in their lives. However, they often, without realizing it, push away the very people that they are concerned about or seeking support and encouragement from, because they can become preoccupied, fearful, miserable, negative and hard to be around. This is not a switch in the brain that can be easily turned off, but rather, a pattern from which it requires dedication and work to recover. Here are two ways to stop over-thinking, chronic worrying and find peace in the present moment:
1. Breathe more. Breathing will relax you, calm you, connect you to the present moment, and help you feel grounded. It sounds so simple but often when our mind starts to race to bad places, we become hysterical and anxious when what we need to do is relax the body and mind. One way to breathe more is use meditation apps which are readily available on smart phones and tablets. Daily listening can help ease anxiety, fear, worry and doubt.
2. Surrender to God. Surrender does not mean giving up; it just means you are willing to go with the flow. Surrender is a form of release and a form of peace, because it means you are willing to trust that everything will work out as it is supposed to.
We must be aware of our thoughts because our thoughts have power and create outcomes we may not want, more than we realize.
Innovator, Trendsetter, Author and entrepreneur… These are few words to describe Carl Mathis. While some may know him as a minister and a teacher, others have become fond of him through his written work, “Pursuing Your Purpose.” For speaking engagements or to find out more about Carl Mathis, visit https://www.carlmathisbooks.com or email carlmathis4u@gmail.com
