Thinking more positively can take some practice that's for sure. Aim for progress not perfection!
I recently read that writing down three things we are grateful for each day makes people happier then taking antidepressant medication! It sounds like a good way to add some positivity to the day...what do you think?
I heard something on the radio a few days a go that really got me thinking. The health professional was saying it could be easier to determine inner negative thoughts if you could distance yourself from them. The suggested exercise was to begin a sentence with the words. "The big blue sky above me" then a verb or actions work, then finish the sentence.
An example of a positive thought would go something like this, "The big blue sky above me warmed me with sunlight that went right into my bones. Have to admit when I started this exercise, I came up with several negative thoughts. "The big blue sky above me said that it never expected me to be successful." "The big blue sky above me was surprised any time I did something right." I quickly realized I had some inner negative thoughts that began in childhood. Now, I have to learn how to challenge those negative thoughts. Let me see if I can get the big blue sky to realize it was mistaken.
Negative = I obsess about a relationship that has ended for the most part and feel that it is my fault everything went south with this person. We both have issues which complicates things and makes it difficult to communicate feelings in a clear and coherent way. Thinking about the loss makes me feel sad.
Positive = The session on relationships has really brought to life a pattern I've carried on for quite some time. That is I focus on the one person who doesn't want to be in a relationship with me and I neglect to notice or hold important the many people who do want to be in a relationship with me. Its a great section and I've started to work on documenting the relationships in my life as suggested. Very helpful information.
Negative - I am relapsing due to ongoing stress issues with my 21 year old son. I have an increase in anxiety that I haven't had in a long, long time.
Positive - today is a snow day so I am going to use it as a way to get back on track. I will make copies of my worksheets, complete them today as I have been neglecting them, I will meditate and do yoga and enjoy the peace and quiet.