Remember those scenes from The Exorcist where the priest tries to drive the ghost out of the possessed child?
Driving away negative thoughts doesn’t require as much effort, but it can be a pretty serious battle. You can’t just tell them to be gone, but instead, need to develop a longstanding strategy for driving them away and keeping them out for good.
#1: Admit you have a problem.
It can be downright impossible to do self-reflection on this topic, because we often don’t pay attention to your own words or body language. One helpful way to gauge your level of self-defeatist attitude and negativity is to create a chart with two sides. On one side, write down all your positive thoughts that day. On the other, write down all your negative thoughts. You’ll be amazed by how much negativity the average person keeps in their head.
#2: Exercise.
Getting your body moving is great for changing your mood and your thoughts. You don’t have to run a marathon or swim across the English Channel to make that kind of change…you can just step up, take a walk, do some jumping jacks, or dance. That’s right…dance. Try turning on your favorite music and moving and grooving for a few minutes; see if you’re feeling negative afterwards.
#3: Practice Gratitude.
If making a list of your thoughts was the first step to recognizing your negativity problem, building a positive list could be the first step toward solving it. Make a list of all the things you’re grateful for. Having trouble coming up with a list? How about your breath, your pulse, your sight, and all the other basic amenities we take for granted. Once your start writing your list out, you will find that it snowballs and fills your mind with positivity.
#4: Talk about it.
Find a friend, family member, therapist, or helpful ear to listen to your problems without judgement, and without recommendation (unless you want it). You could also pray, journal, or craft an art project around your feelings. Once they’re out there, you’ll find yourself strangely (perhaps magically is a better word) unburdened of negative thinking.
#5: Change your language.
Take stock of the vocabulary and phrases you use regularly, as you did in point #1. Eliminate negative phrases and words from your lexicon, and watch your thoughts change as well. You should also take note of your body language and posture. Avoid slouching, and above all, smile!
4 thoughts on “5 Ways to Drive Away Negative Thinking”
I love this article. Thanks for sharing.
So glad you enjoyed the article.
I blog frequently and I really thank you for your content. The article has truly peaked my interest. I’m going to book mark your site and keep checking for new information about once per week. I opted in for your RSS feed as well.
Hi Marlon, thank you for your kind words. Our thoughts are the most powerful tool we have. Do let me know how your thoughts change simply by paying attention.