Sadly, bad thoughts or negative thinking are common enough in our dog-eat-dog world. Anxiety, fear, shame, stress, exhaustion, sleep deprivation, hunger, or even minor body ailments such as a common cold can trigger negative thoughts. Typically, these unwelcome thoughts pop up in our heads and then fade away. However, it becomes a matter of concern when they get stuck in our heads and refuse to leave.
Lingering bad thoughts are worrying, as they can lead to prolonged periods of unhappiness and depression. Depression is a serious condition that requires medical attention and long-term treatment. It makes sense to nip the issue in the bud before it wreaks havoc in the mind.
Before we discuss ways to get rid of bad thoughts, we need to understand what causes them. Why do we have negative thoughts that refuse to leave us alone and give rise to a depressive state of mind?
This article offers an array of proven techniques to clear your mind of negative thoughts. The law of attraction can come to your aid to remove those unwanted thoughts from your head.
Why negative thoughts come in mind?
When bad thoughts linger in your head longer than usual and cause disruptions in your life, it is difficult to say whether you are having these thoughts because of feeling depressed or bad thoughts are leading you into depression. One thing is for sure – negative thinking and depression have a close association. All the more reason why you need to control negative thoughts from the start.
Bad thoughts can take different forms and the reason for each is self-explanatory.
Negative rumination:
Rumination is something we all indulge in from time to time. What you have achieved in life so far and where you are headed in life. When you are dwelling on life’s purpose for a short duration, these thoughts remain healthy. However, rehashing these thoughts over and over in your head can turn counterproductive and unhealthy.
Over-analysis:
The saying goes “Think before you leap”. But if thinking takes forever, looking at the action from all possible angles, it turns into an obsession, which is not conducive to good mental health. It would help to remind yourself that the future is unpredictable. It would be impossible to say for certain which one of your choices will be the right one.
Lashing out at the world:
Past experiences can trigger anger, cynicism, mistrust, and negative opinion directed at the world in general and the people in it. This is a mental state that is not very easy to get rid of unless you sincerely wish to.
Overgeneralization, jumping to conclusions, pessimistic thinking, and blaming others can all lead to bad thoughts.
How to get rid of bad thoughts?
Once negative thoughts take root in your mind and you allow them to flourish, it is not easy to control and remove them. Like the needle stuck in a groove, your mind will be playing the same bad thoughts in a loop, unable to escape from it. The more you allow your mind to dwell on them, the more damage they inflict. However, all is not lost for those who seek a way out of this vicious cycle.
Fortunately, there are techniques to take your mind off those bad thoughts and refocus on positive ones. The basic principle in all these methods is distraction. The vital requirements for the success of these techniques are will power and persistence.
1. Try a different perspective:
Looking at a person or event from the same angle, it is natural to feel angry, disappointed, or hopeless. Change the perspective and see the difference. Looking at the same thing from another angle or many different angles can help you see it in a different light. At times, that is all you need to shake off those bad thoughts.
2. Get it out of your chest:
Empty all your negative thoughts to someone you can trust and rely completely upon. It doesn’t matter whether the other person has any help to offer. Having a willing and patient listener is all you need. You will feel light-hearted and feel the tension melt away after such heart-to-heart conversations.
3. Change your posture and facial expression:
Do you often frown? Are your shoulders drooping or do you adopt a closed posture? Your improper body language can set off a negative reaction from others, resulting in low self-esteem and self-confidence for you. Consciously change those negative facial expressions and postures and watch the change in the reaction of others. This can improve your mood and help in clearing your mind of negative thoughts.
4. Indulge your creativity:
Write, draw, or paint – use your creative talents as an outlet for your emotions. At best, it can be therapeutic. It can help you process your emotions and give you the much-needed break from the vicious cycle of bad thoughts. Ultimately, this activity can elevate your mood, thus getting rid of those bad thoughts.
5. Feel grateful:
Make a list of all the things you enjoy in life. It is easy to ignore and forget the blessings or take them for granted. Reminding yourself of them can turn the tide for you.
5. Keep good company:
Make sure that you are always among positive people – people who love, appreciate, and encourage you. Put in that extra effort to avoid the negative company. Most often your mental condition is a direct result of the company you keep.
6. Distract yourself:
Go mind shopping, travel the world in your mind, indulge in daydreaming – do anything positive that will take your mind off the negative thoughts. Distraction is a simple but effective technique to take a break from the endless cycle of negativity. And, a break may be all that you need to permanently cast off those unwanted thoughts.
Getting close to nature, going for long walks, listening to music, reading a book, and spending quality time with family and friends are all effective in elevating the mood and eventually get rid of those negative thoughts. The law of attraction recommends steps like meditation, visualization, and affirmation to counteract negative thinking.
At the end of the day, it boils down to how much you want to get rid of them. Once you acknowledge and accept the need to control and remove negative thoughts, half the battle is won!
Recommended Reading:
- Is There Medication for Negative Thoughts?
- Examples of Changing Negative Thoughts to Positive
- Easy 9 Law of Attraction Exercises for Beginners to Start
- Best 72 Positive Affirmation to Start the Day
- 11 Signs of Negative Energy in a Person
- 36 Affirmations for Anxiety and Fear
- How To Find Your Passion When You’re Feeling Depressed