2 Ways to Cope with Negative Thoughts

Our thoughts have the power to drive how we act and how we view the world around us. Though we may be unaware of their power, getting stuck in negative thought patterns can leave us believing false messages about who we are.

Thoughts like, “I’m not good enough”, “I can’t change”, and a variety of other shame-based messages can leave us feeling stuck in our own heads.  

There are practical tools we can use to diffuse some of these thoughts.

First, learning to externalize our mind and treat our thoughts as if they are another person is a helpful way to deal with unwanted thoughts. This allows us to separate fact from just opinion and “speak” to our thoughts.

Second, it’s important to notice your thoughts without judging them. We tend to put our thoughts and feelings into categories and judge them as positive or negative. Instead of doing this, simply notice your thoughts without attaching judgment to them.

If you find yourself stuck in negative thought cycles, reach out for help. Our staff at Cedar Tree would love to walk alongside you in working toward alleviating unhealthy thought patterns.

–Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash