4 Ways to Deal With Negative Thoughts

Has life got you by the throat? Do you feel like you're drowning in pain and misery? Negative thoughts always snowball until you become terribly overwhelmed with something as simple as waking up every morning.

Overcoming negativity is probably one of the most challenging things anyone could face. It's difficult, but it is possible to turn your mind to a more positive way of thinking. The only way you will begin to feel better is when you start taking steps towards changing the way you think, too. Until then your mind and body will continue to suffer.

So if you're ready, let's get started now. Here are four super simple ways you can deal with negative thoughts.

#1: Say "STOP!"

Not too many people are brave enough to try this, but it's such a simple and easy tip, why wouldn't you. When you start having negative thoughts, literally tell yourself aloud, "STOP!" By speaking the word aloud, you create a mental rift that immediately causes that train of negativity to come to a screeching halt.

#2: Smile.

Why smile when you don't feel like it? You can't smile and think ugly thoughts. Well, you could, but then that smile won't last long on your face. Smiling not only sets yourself at ease, but others around you, too. More often than not, your negative thoughts send out negative energy vibrations to others around you. You might not say anything negative aloud, but you don't have to because your body language and energy tells everyone what you're thinking or feeling. So smile.

#3: Stop them before they start.

Okay, this one is a toughie, too. You're probably thinking there's no way to stop a negative thought once it's there. But you can, and the best way is to speak positive thoughts to yourself all day. If you are constantly focusing your energy and thoughts on good things, you don't have room for anything negative. Sure, bad things will still happen, and you'll have a negative thought now and again, but when this happens, you will have the strength to push those bad thoughts away and replace them with good ones.

#4: Look for the good.

One of the easiest ways you can feed into a negative frame of mind is to be on the lookout for bad or unpleasing things. Have you ever said to yourself, 'I bet I'll have to wait 20 minutes in the line at the bank' and then when you get to the bank you had to wait that long, or longer? At that point, you probably mentally chide yourself, 'See, I knew that would happen.' Of course you did, and it did! Instead of focusing on the negative, or seeking out negative things in your life, start looking for the good. It's going to feel weird at first, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes.