Always thinking negatively, how do you avoid it?

[Firehawk]

Any advice for those who constantly think negatively about things?

Advice consisting of the following is not acceptable: "Just try to think positively".

No sh*t sherlock, doesn't take a rocket scientist to come up with that. That's like telling an anxiety patient to 'just relax'. Duh, you can't.

While I have never used this prop, I think it would be helpful.

Whenever you are thinking negatively, I like to call it stinking thinking, do so in front of a mirror so you can watch yourself. Look into your eyes and see what they reveal. Then back up and try to retrace the steps and thoughts leading up to the stinking thinking. My guess is that stress is a contributing factor.

I'm not a psychologist and never took a psych class in college, just a middle-age man who still relapses into stinking thinking like everyone else because I am human.

[westside24]

Originally Posted by Firehawk

Any advice for those who constantly think negatively about things?

Advice consisting of the following is not acceptable: "Just try to think positively".

No sh*t sherlock, doesn't take a rocket scientist to come up with that. That's like telling an anxiety patient to 'just relax'. Duh, you can't.

Very simple answer...

Chruch and God

who can say they dont feel good and positive about everything happening around them when they have a good relationship with god? in addition to the relationships and freinds you make with the family and friends at church!

well except catholic churches, they arent so greeting with open arms type of people, haha just kidding... or am I?

[westside24]

Originally Posted by pierini

I'm not a psychologist and never took a psych class in college, just a middle-age man who still relapses into stinking thinking like everyone else because I am human.

that too! everyone will be down sometimes no matter who you are...
making yourself happy takes practice, thats what they said on GMA. You cant just wake up one day and say, I wanna be happy! thats why so many people are literally depressed, they dont know how to train them selves... think long and hard, and Im sure you can remember a time or two when you somehow willingly made yourself happy even in a very bad situation... and like I said, church can probably be the best tool to train yourself... you dont gotta make it an every weekend commitment.

alot of people look at the church idea like "ahhh I dont have time for that, or I dont wanna...." why? it takes a fricken hour at most! how bad do you want it, how bad do you want to get in shape and get big n strong, how bad do you wanna be happy!

Fhawk this is in no way directed towards you, because I dont know you... Im just saying in general, to the general persons who are interested in what you asked and who would also like to here some answers (not that I have good answers, run far far away from me!) Ive told a few people this before, and this is pretty much what I can remember from a segment of GMA!

[MAURER]

for me, i always just have to remember to count my blessings. whatever is making me feel low, i know someone else has it that much worse and would do anything to be in my position. i know that works for me. that and just remembering that i WANT to be happy. if i go about my day making an active effort to be positive, usually i find that it has a lingering effect that keeps me in a good mood for a long time.

[westside24]

Originally Posted by MAURER

for me, i always just have to remember to count my blessings. whatever is making me feel low, i know someone else has it that much worse and would do anything to be in my position. i know that works for me. that and just remembering that i WANT to be happy. if i go about my day making an active effort to be positive, usually i find that it has a lingering effect that keeps me in a good mood for a long time.

Perfect example of what I was trying to say!

Its a domino effect, not only will you keep setting yourself up to be happy throughout the day, and handle bad situations in a good manner, you will also make someone else see... damn that person is pretty happy, he loves life, he has friends, everything is going right for him, and that person will hopefully wanna follow suit.

even the happiest loving person we all know (jesus) didnt have a perfect life, it wasnt even close.

Ok ill get off the church kick, I havent even been to church in like 2 months, so what the hell am I talkin about!?

[Dan C]

Good reply Westside. Thanks for your post.

My grandmother told me a long time ago what she says whenever evil thoughts creep into her mind. And that was "Get behind me, Satan."

Evil and negative thinking are one in the same. I read just the other day how the mind is the devil's battlefield. Whether or not you believe in God, I don't know, but I have found my faith to be the cornerstone of my mental health.

And I use my grandmother's advice.