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6 Ways to Handle Extremely Difficult and Negative Thoughts That Cross the Mind
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6 Ways to Handle Extremely Difficult and Negative Thoughts That Cross the Mind

It may be hard, but not impossible.

Source: Getty Images | Photo by Nick Dolding

Everyone feels some kind of negativity at some point. It is only but natural to feel that way. No one can be happy all the time, and there will be situations that can cause us to lose our temper and even overthink. Especially around this time, with the holidays and the new year around the corner, it's natural to get overwhelmed about the what's and how's. It might not be much, but it is enough to make you wonder if something is wrong. For example, if someone you know doesn't smile at you like always, then you might ponder over it, wondering what went wrong for that person to act that way. Honestly, the other person might not even notice, but it could affect you beyond doubt.

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According to Michigan Medicine, a negative thought can affect your mood, as it makes you sad and anxious. It not only affects you mentally but also takes a toll on you physically. Hence, it's important you learn how to control them. One of the best ways to deal with such thoughts is to replace them with ones that make you feel better. It's not the end of the world to feel this way, all you need to do is believe in yourself and say that this phase is temporary. You might think at that particular moment like the world is about to crash down on you, but it will get better once you gain control over your thoughts. Here are some ways to do that:

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1. Focus on how you're feeling now

Ignoring how you feel will not make things better for you. If you're feeling sad, then go through the sadness. It might feel like you're going to express a lifetime of sadness, but it's not going to last all the time. It will pass and things will eventually get better. It's all a matter of time.

2. Share how you're feeling with someone you're close to


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It doesn't help to keep your feelings bottled up. In fact, when you talk to someone about all the negative thoughts you're experiencing, you will feel a sense of relief. It also helps untangle the knots in your mind, leaving you feeling a lot more organized.

3. Do something nice for yourself

When you experience a rush of negative thoughts, you experience a slump that hinders you from doing anything. Even something as small as getting out of bed seems like a tedious task. But, if you can manage to get out of your bed and do something small for yourself it makes a huge difference.

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4. Count your blessings



 

You have no idea how lucky you are, even though you may not feel that way at the moment, there are so many things in our lives that we need to be thankful for; it can be a small surprise from a loved one, or a sign from the universe. Each day, count your blessings and express gratitude for what you have.

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5. Eat and sleep well

When you keep thinking about what's bothering you, you tend to lose out on your sleep as well as your appetite. Your body deserves to be treated well. In simple language, the nicer you are to your body, the better it makes you feel.

6. Make and maintain your social connections

This is a fancy way of saying you need to make friends with the kind of people you want to associate yourself with. When you find like-minded friends, it gets easier for you because you now have one less thing to worry about.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on insights from different sources. The views expressed here are those of the writer.

Reference:

https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/abl0335

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