Keeping Negative Thoughts Away

Negative thoughts have a way of creeping into your mind if you aren’t careful. A positive life begins with a positive mindset. Here are some ways that I have found really keep my negative thoughts at bay.

• Gratitude Journal. It is hard to be negative when you are thankful. Enter the idea of keeping a gratitude journal. It can be as simple as writing 3 things down each morning that you are thankful for. These don’t have to be profound. Just three things that happened that day or the day before that you are thankful for.
• Exercise. As Elle Woods says “Endorphins make you happy- happy people don’t kill people”. Exercise is so important not only because it helps keep you healthy physically but mentally as well. As a mom, a clinician, friend, wife, all the things – I need to be my best self. Some days I feel like there is no time for this, but I challenge myself to find ways to get some movement in. Even if I just walk outside of one of my clinics during a phone call. Trust me, you will see a difference in not only your personal feelings but in your family, friendship, and work.
• Do something that brings laughter. Do something that makes you laugh and remember to not take yourself too seriously. Life can be intense if we allow it to be and when you get to that place just take a step back, breathe, and start again.
• Give to others. No matter how busy you are or how much money you have (or don’t have) in your bank account, you always have something to give to others. Joy is the reward of giving to others and it reminds us that we are all here for contribution and connection.

These are all easily incorporated into your life if you make the small efforts. You can retrain yourself to be a more positive person if you make these things a habit. We aren’t promised a life without struggle, but the hard times will be easier to get through them when you are practicing positivity.