Stress Center Peer Support

Still plenty of negatives without positives. i seem to be at a loss as to what's positive. i grew up on a pretty negative atmosphere and am honestly having a hard time coming up with positives. any suggestions?

I'm having a hard time with this too. I woke up this morning after a long holiday weekend and thought "I don't want to go back to work. I'm sick of the hectic pace. I know today is going to be terrible. I want to go back to bed. I should be happy -- there are so many people out there who don't have a job and would love to be in my position. I shouldn't feel this way." All of that flew into my mind before I even knew it and I felt like crap. (Another negative thought.) I was trying to figure out how to turn all of this around. All I could come up with is "it's gonna be ok, just take it one step at a time." I also gave myself credit for even recognizing what I was doing, where before I would have "wallowed" in it.

My tendency is to think that a positive thought is just flipping it the 100% opposite of the negative one -- but this isn't realistic.

I am starting to be able to calm down a bit easier. It was hard for me because I am always so high strung.

It took the relaxation tape to help me. I had to start thinking about things other than medical issues, and breathing.

The breathing in to 2 and out 4 helps alot. It helps you realize that you are getting enough air.

I used to have to walk around with a peek flo meter. Now the peek flo can be left at home:)

It takes a while, and I mean weeks and months, to master positive self talk. One thing that can help is to write it out. I kept a spiral notebook just for this purpose. I kept one by my bed, one in my car, etc..... Trying to do it in your head doesn't work very well when you are beginning to change the behavior. Writing it out works much better.

Don't beat yourself up for still having negative thoughts. Instead, praise yourself for noticing you have them. Ask yourself "what would Lucinda say."