how do you stop thinking negative?

Answer 1

Be positive.

Answer 2

A wild card question. Top dollar though ! I couldn't be bothered to read through all the previous answers. There are so many, well done for provocative probing.

It might well depend on your definitions. Before you think I'm being silly, remember just how individual we can be at times. As an example I'll give you this. A friend of mine attended a party there was a large number of people and a fair amount of ''recreational substances.'' The atmosphere was buzzing and there seemed to be 'loved up' people all over the house. After hour or so I caught up with my friend. By now he seemed in a bit of a lull and when I asked him the reason he quietly pointed out a guy he'd been chatting to earlier. Neither my friend or I knew him but this man seemed Ok to me when I'd chatted to him. I couldn't work out why my friend was so upset. I knew he sometimes had moments when he got a trifle paranoid so I told him, "chill out, he's alright." Well you've guessed it this OTHER guy turned out to be a nasty theiving b*****d and no one but my so called 'paranoid' mate had seen it. We could have simply accused him (my friend) of being NEGATIVE but this negativity, viewed in the light of experience had proved to be a guide, a watchword for balance, a new level of understanding and awareness.

Far be it from me to suggest anything as ridiculous as we all go about our life being negative miserablists or paranoid schiztsos, but feelings of negativity are NOT ALWAYS a bad thing. You should learn to map them and whether or not it's YOU or something else try and measure what this NEGATIVITY might be telling you at certain times. Your question suggests - to me - that you're looking for insight into something that plays a PART in your life. Don't throw it away just yet but also DON'T let it have full reign over your life

Answer 3

Everytime the train of negativity starts running through your head, pick one good thing. Doesn't have to be huge, could just be your favorite food, the smell of crayons, or a recent joke that made you laugh. Next really consentrate on this happy thought. Try to make yourself examine every aspect of why that was good. How does the food taste? Smell? When was the last time you had it? Why did the joke make you laugh? Are their smells, liek crayons or playdoh, that you can associate with a happy time in your childhood?

Really force yourself to face this one happy thought for about ten minutes. It may take a few days to get there, but after that extend it. Choose other happy thoughts, make a list of happy thoughts. Before you know it, you will stop the negative train, and at least have a way of jumping off before it gets rolling again.

Answer 4

Tough question. My wife is the most negative person I have ever known. There is always something happening 'to' her, other drivers are always a-holes (I've ridden with her). Every situation is an attack.

I have tried with some limited success to point out when her conversation is simply complaining and pointing out the good side of the situation. "At least you didn't have to clean it up yourself" or something like that.

It takes training and practice. If I find myself falling into the negative trap, I ask myself, 'did anybody die?' That puts it into a perspective. The old saw that there are only two things to remember, "1. Don't sweat the small stuff. 2. Everything is small stuff."

Answer 5

Try a book called 'Learned Optimism' by Martin Seligman, it's also available on CD and has a lot of stuff about how negative thinking and pessimism work and where it comes from. It also has exercises which help you understand your negative thinking and help to change it. I found it realy helpful. There's too much info for me to summarise here!

Also a website called MoodGym was really helpful - I can't remember the address but you can google it.

Answer 6

It’s impossible not to have negative thoughts. You just need to ensure that you focus more on positive thoughts as much as possible. Some people are more negative than others, sometimes this has to do with hormones and some people recommend certain diets.
My advice will be active, keep busy and focus on the positive things in your life.

Answer 7

I believe that it's not so much a question of ceasing to think negative as it is an effort to think positive. In lots of people, thinking negatively is just their default position; when you see that you're doing this, make an effort to think of something positive about the situation. With practice, you'll do it more often. It's rather like a habit - you often need something with which to replace the habit in order to break it.

Answer 8

To be honest, life is such a gift that you cannot waste any time on negative thinking. You're only here once. First of all, you have to recognize that you can change. Second, you have to realize that you're inventing it in your head because you have unsecurities or feel like a victim. And third, it takes work. Start by reading 'a monk who sold his farrari'. Reading really helps to identify the source.

Answer 9

Excercise, cutting out depressants like alcohol, hypnosis, positive thinking books, establishing goal directed behaviours.

After that you'll be getting positive because of your achievements while at the same time cutting down both negative psychological and physical influences.

That or win the lottery.

Answer 10

Think about anything postive in your life. Do something nice for/ help someone else......you will be amazed at how good it will make you feel, not to mention how it will make the other person feel. There is always someone who is less fortunate that "we" are. (And don't do it for the recognition or the pat on your own back....do it because it's the RIGHT THING to do.) If you don't have much money, being nice or helping someone doesn't cost a thing, but the rewards are priceless FOR EVERYONE. If you do have extra cash, help someone who really needs it. Most of all, pray and ask God to help you.

Answer 11

I find it helps to ask myself if this train of thought is helping the situation. Usually it isn't, so I say to myself, "Mind, I sweep you clean and bid a more welcome guest enter." It sounds wierd but it helps me.
Don't hang out with people who stuff your ears with negative feedback.
Listen to good, mellow music.
Get plenty of exercise and fresh air; it's amazing what a brisk walk can do for your attitude! Not to mention the endorphins.
When you find yourself sliding back into negativity, look for 3 positive things you can say about yourself or the situation. If you can't find 3, *change something.* Do something different, or if you must, get rid of unhelpful situations or people.