Stuck on Negative Thinking (2024)

FAQs

How to get unstuck from negative thoughts? ›

Spiraling negative thoughts can be a result of overthinking. This tends to happen when we have few distractions – which is why lying awake at night churning things over in our mind is a familiar feeling to many. At the time, negative thoughts may seem completely rational and logical. So we believe them to be true.

Negative thinking can have several causes, including personal factors such as undergoing a traumatic experience. That said, scientists are finding evidence that certain mental health disorders play a critical role in the habitual formation of dark or negative thoughts.

Practice Mindfulness or Meditation

Mindfulness leaves no room for stray thoughts. The term “mindfulness” is often linked to meditation, as this practice has a similar goal. When you meditate, you take a moment to sit and relax, letting go of all negative thoughts and emotions.

The 5 Cs are complaining, criticizing, concern, commiserating, and catastrophizing. With even a baseline understanding of these words, you can see how they can lead to cycles of misguided negative thinking. And what's interesting is each has a slightly different version that is healthy and helpful.

Distract yourself with activities that will interrupt the negative thinking and focus on more positive memories. Try to deliberately recall times when things worked out even with challenges. Enlist the help of family or friends in remembering past positive experiences, times when things turned out well.

How do I stop obsessing over negative thoughts? ›

Mindfulness meditation, exercise, writing, time in nature or with animals, and cognitive behavioral therapy can help eliminate intrusive thoughts.

Stress and Anxiety:

Sometimes, when we're stressed or anxious, we start thinking about bad things a lot. This happens because our brain gets ready to deal with problems. If we're very stressed, it can turn into anxiety, where we worry a lot about bad things happening. This makes us think in a negative way.

The best way to do this is to block them out of your consciousness as soon as they enter. Whenever you are having a negative thought, deliberately think something else. Your conscious mind will simply pick up on the new negative thought and continue to entertain it. Fifthly, practice positive affirmations.

Your brain thinks all the time, and you may have intrusive thoughts for no clear reason. But they often pop up due to stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, or after big changes in your life or body. For instance, people who've recently given birth often have an increase in intrusive thoughts about the safety of their baby.