7 WAYS TO CONQUER NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

By Maryam Abdul-Kareem

We’ve all been there. Those moments, days, weeks, or even months, when your brain replays all your imperfections on repeat like a bad movie, the little voice inside your head inserts doubt and fear into every decision you make.

Here are some tips to get through those patches of negative thinking.

Real talk. Self-talk works. You spend the most time with you, listening to you, and as India Arie says, 'Cause the words that come from your mouth, you're the first to hear. Speak words of beauty, and you will be there. 

What you tell yourself matters. When thoughts of doubt, fear, or self-hatred pop into your head, stick up for yourself. Don’t let you bully you. Talk Back!  You are smart. You are beautiful. You are strong. You make mistakes, but you rise! Know it and say it every day. Those thoughts of not being good, smart, or talented enough are normal. Everyone has those. It’s how you redirect those thoughts that make you a boss. 

It matters who you hang out with. The company you surround yourself with impacts your mental health, spiritual health, and life goals. Surround yourself with a diverse group of folks with shared values. 

Take some “me time.” Go ahead and be in your feelings. It’s okay to feel sad or whatever other emotion you may feel. Positivity is not feeling happy all the time. It’s knowing that it’ll get better even when it’s tough. So, give yourself a moment to understand what your emotions are telling you. Your moment can be as simple as taking a breather. When that moment is over, trust that you can keep going.

 

This one is much harder than it sounds, but it gets results. Having gratitude is a game changer. It breeds hope and good energy. Patience allows us to keep moving forward and see beyond the difficult moments. 

 

Art therapy is real; having a creative outlet can help with mental and emotional stressors that cause negative thinking. Do something that relaxes you, releases energy, or calls you to a creative space. Paint a picture, write a story, read a book, do ceramics, etc.

 

Eating healthy and staying active helps in every aspect of life. Research has shown walking for at least 30 minutes daily strengthens the connections between the brain circuits used for emotional processing, problem-solving, and memory. You don’t have to be some exercise guru; starting with a simple walk or bike ride will suffice to help combat negative thoughts and energy. 

 

This is my favorite tip (says the control freak). It’s fantastic to be ambitious, motivated, and determined, but try as we may, some things are out of our hands. While we endure, push, and succeed in the things we can control, it is equally important to realize the things we cannot control and respond (not react) accordingly. I constantly remind myself of how important it is to know the difference between what I can control and what I cannot and learn to see the magic in the unknown of what I can not control.