How to Get Rid of Negative Thoughts: Tips and Techniques

Do you ever find yourself ruminating on negative thoughts? Maybe you automatically jump to a negative conclusion, or you can't stop thinking about a mistake you made. If this sounds like you, then you're not alone. Negative thoughts are incredibly common, and they can be incredibly damaging to our mental health. In this blog post, we will discuss tips and techniques for managing negative thoughts. We will also talk about the importance of positive self-talk, and how to cultivate a more positive mindset.

Identifying the negative thoughts

A negative thought is any thought that creates feelings of pessimism, despair, or inferiority. We all have negative thoughts from time to time, but some of us get stuck in a cycle of negative thinking. It is important to identify negative thoughts in order to gain control over them. 

It's not always easy to identify negative thoughts though. They can sneak up on you when you're least expecting it. But once you become aware of them, you can start to work on changing them. Negative thoughts usually fall into one of three categories: Self-doubt, self-criticism, or negative predictions. Self-doubt relates to feeling like you're not good enough or that you can't do something. Self-criticism is when you put yourself down or beat yourself up for making a mistake. Negative predictions are when you assume the worst will happen in a given situation.

Examples of negative thinking

Common examples of negative thoughts include: "I'm not good enough," "This is never going to work," "I'm such a failure." Negative thoughts can be very persuasive, and it can be hard to break out of the cycle of negative thinking. However, it is important to remember that these thoughts are just thoughts, not facts. It is possible to change our thinking patterns, and we can choose to focus on positive thoughts instead. While it's normal to have negative thoughts from time to time, chronic negative thinking can lead to psychological problems such as depression and anxiety. Therefore, it's important to be aware of the thoughts we're thinking, and to challenge and change any that are harmful to our mental health.

Acknowledge that these negative thoughts are not true

You are not your thoughts. Just because you have a thought, doesn't mean it's true. It's important to acknowledge your thoughts, but don't believe everything you think. Your brain is great at coming up with all sorts of ideas, some of which are based in reality and some of which are not. It's important to be able to distinguish between the two. Just because you have a thought, doesn't mean it's true. If you find yourself thinking negative thoughts, try to question them. Are they really true? What evidence do you have to support them? You might be surprised to find that many of your negative thoughts are not based in reality. Acknowledge your thoughts, but don't believe everything you think. You have great power to control your mind.

Managing negative thoughts

It is important to monitor the thoughts that go through your mind on a daily basis. A lot of times, people tend to have negative thoughts without even realising it. These negative thoughts can become a self-fulfilling prophecy and sabotage your chances of success. It is crucial to catch yourself when you have a negative thought, try not to dwell too much on it and challenge it. For example, if you catch yourself thinking “I’ll never be able to do this,” stop and challenge yourself - is this really not possible? It may seem like a small change, but it can make a big difference in your attitude and your ability to achieve your goals. So the next time you find yourself thinking negatively, stop and switch gears.

Anyone who has ever tried to break a bad habit knows that it is not as simple as it sounds. The same is true of negative thinking. Just telling yourself to "think positive" is difficult to put into practice. However, there are some strategies that can help you to manage negative thoughts and create a more positive mindset.

How to replace negative thinking with positive thinking

1. Recognise the signs of negative thinking. Pay attention to your inner dialogue and watch out for thoughts that are pessimistic, judgmental, or self-critical. Catch yourself when you're thinking negative thoughts and make a conscious effort to challenge them and turn them into positive ones.
2. Challenge your negative thoughts or reframe thoughts. Once you've identified a negative thought, try to come up with a more realistic or positive alternative. For instance, instead of thinking "I'm such a failure," tell yourself "I'm doing my best." It might seem like a small change, but it can make a big difference in our outlook and our ability to cope with difficult situations. So the next time you find yourself trapped in a cycle of negative thinking, try reframing your thoughts and see how it makes you feel.
3. Identify your "triggers" - the situations or events that lead you to start thinking negatively. Once you are aware of your triggers, you can develop a plan for how to deal with them in a more positive way. For example, if you tend to start worrying about things that are out of your control, you can remind yourself that worrying will not change the situation and focus on what you can do to improve it.
4. Remind yourself that you have the power to choose how you think, and choose to think positive thoughts. For example, if you're worried about screwing up an important presentation at work, think about all the times you've successfully delivered a presentation in the past. Or if you're feeling down about your appearance, remember that everyone has aspects of their appearance that they don't like. Nobody is perfect.
5. Try to focus on the good things in your life, even if there are negatives present as well.
6. Lastly, Practice makes perfect- the more you do it, the easier it will become. Soon, you'll be thinking positively without even having to try!

Bach flower remedies to help manage negative thinking

Bach flower remedies are natural remedies that support emotional wellbeing. There are 38 flower remedies in total, each relating to a different emotion. Dr Bach created the flower remedy system in the 1930s and they have been used around the world ever since. There are a number of Bach flower remedies that can help to dispel negative thinking, including:

• Gentian - for those who have suffered a setback and are now discouraged and thinking pessimistically
• White Chestnut - for those who ruminate on their thoughts, with negative thoughts playing over and over in their mind
• Crab Apple - for those who dislike themselves either in mind or body, which expresses itself externally as obsessive behaviour
• Agrimony - for those who bottle up their negative emotions and put on a brave face
• Larch - for those who lack confidence in their abilities, making them unwilling even to try
• Beech - for those who find fault with everything and everyone, who are critical and judgemental
• Pine - for those who feel guilty, even when it's not their fauly
• Cerato - for those will lack belief in themselves and their own judgement, needing their opinions to be validated by others
• Holly - for those are are angry, spiteful or jealous
• Honeysuckle - for those who are stuck in the past, unable to let go
• Chestnut Bud - for those who repeat the same mistakes, unable to learn from experience
• Willow - for those who are resentful, self-pitying and carry a grudge

Bach flower remedies are completely natural, safe and gentle. They can be used alongside existing medication and are safe for all ages. Similarly to homeopathy, they work on an energetic level and help to bring your body back into balance if your emotions have started to move into the negative.

At Mindful Remedies you can create a personalised flower remedy, including up to seven remedies in a bottle. We'll handcraft your remedy and post it to your door. We ship worldwide so anyone can access this service.

create a personalised remedy

Find a support group or therapist if you need help

If you're struggling with negative thinking or depression, it's important to reach out for help. There are many free or low-cost support groups and therapy options available. Support groups provide a safe space to share your experiences with others who understand what you're going through. Therapists can help you identify negative thought patterns and learn new ways of thinking and coping. If you're not sure where to start, your doctor or a trusted friend or family member may be able to point you in the right direction. Don't hesitate to reach out for help if you need it.