How Do I Change Negative Thinking?

There are many steps you can take to change negative thinking. Among them are becoming more conscious of your thought patterns and challenging every negative thought with a positive one. You can also try to spend more time with positive people in order to become more positive yourself. Additionally, you might opt to use meditation as a way to change your thought patterns for the better.

One of the best ways to change negative thinking is to become more conscious of your thoughts. Many people think negatively as a habit, and some people do not even notice the patterns their thoughts form. When they start to become more conscious of their thoughts, however, many people notice they start with the negativity first thing in the morning and don't let go of it until late at night, if at all. If you make an effort to become more conscious about how you are thinking, you have a better chance of controlling your thoughts and steering them in a more positive direction.

Another way to change negative thinking involves a little writing. When you feel negative about a situation, you can sit down with a pen and a piece of paper and write a list of the things that are making you feel badly. Then, for every negative item on your list, you can try to add a positive entry, even if the positive things you add to your list are unrelated to the negative ones. Once you have an even number of negatives and positives, you can then try to write even more positives. You might find yourself with a more positive mindset if you end with more positives than negatives on your list.

Sometimes the company you keep also has a dramatic effect on whether you spend your time thinking positive thoughts or becoming overwhelmed with negativity. You may, for example, think about your friends and family members who are positive most of the time as well as those who always seem to be a source of negativity. You could then choose to spend more time with those who are usually positive, as their attitudes can help influence your moods and your general outlook on life.

Meditation is another way to change negative thinking. Often, people who meditate on a regular basis report feeling more contented and at peace. Many state that they feel less bothered by negativity, less anxious, and less given to negative thought patterns. When combined with other ways of fighting negative thinking, meditating on a regular basis may help you as well. Additionally, breathing exercises can prove beneficial for this purpose.