Stress Center Peer Support

Ok, so I probably read this in other posts but I want to ask this just to see what others think...

When you get a negative thought what exactly are you supposed to do with the positive stuff. I kinda feel dumb when I am trying to say something positive. I also kinda feel like it is nonsense with me telling myself the positive.

Any advice???

Well, what I have really been trying to do is stop being negative.

Right, so, I am outside with the kids and we are messing around and I get my feelings, the chest pain or the sensation in my throat and if I let it win, I'd be able to fall off the wagon in seconds.

I am basically trying to change my thought process. try and engage my kids in something more or grab a tool out of the shed and trim the hedges.

When I am alone or traveling I need to remind myself that I am OK and that I am not having the big one or losing my mind. Sometimes I have to instill positive thoughts. I think about my kids or something that makes me happy.

Just keep trying to live and be happy, so does are harder than others - but being here for my children is the most important thing so I am striving to get better.

They trick is trying to make the positive something you'll believe in. Don't make your positives outlandish. For example, don't go from "I don't feel well today" to "Of course I feel great, I'm the best ever" Going from one extreme to anothe isn't something that is going to help. A better way would be going from "I don't feel well today" to "I may not feel well now, but I won't feel this way forever and it will pass" Does this help at all? Being positive takes LOTS of practice. It may not feel right at first, but keep at it. Make sure you write your negative thoughts down and leave space to write down your positives. The more you practice it, the more it becomes second nature.

Hi -

There's also a difference between a negative observation and habitual negative thoughts.

For example, if some reckless driver cuts me off on the highway, I have negative thoughts (OK - and maybe a few words - LOL) about him or her. That is a negative observation - and it's not necessarily a bad thing. However, if I let that escalate in my mind into "What a jerk! Everybody in this town drive like idiots. I hate this town. Why did I move here? Why couldn't I stick it out in the last town? I always make bad choices...I am so stupid..." then we have a negative thought pattern.

As for the positives...Tammy's post was right n target...don't tell yourself something that you don't believe. You can't go from "Boy I look ugly today" to "No I don't! I look like [insert beautiful famous person's name here! ]" You won't believe it. Just observing yourself and your negative thoughts so that you can stop them in their tracks is a great step!

Keep up the good work! One day at a time!

Best,
Dawn

I guess this is what I have already been doing.. I just thought that I was doing it wrong when I get a negative thought.

When My anxiety is high my mind is overwhelmed with negative thoughts, but I was mostly talking about when I am ok, and I just get a bad thought..

Thanks for the advice.