Are you an overthinker? Do you tend to run through all the possible catastrophes that could go wrong in your mind? Are you overly critical of yourself? This is a common part of the human experience and part of our evolution. As humans, we have a negativity bias. We often feel negativity more intensely and tend to dwell on negative thoughts more than positive thoughts. Historically this has been linked to our survival, those more attentive to danger and potential threats tended to survive and pass this trait down to their offspring. So how can we take this knowledge and make a change? Do not blame yourself for these tendencies – we all have them, but we can begin to shift our outlook from negative to positive.
It is all temporary…
Remember that like most things in life our thoughts are impermanent, they will pass. When you do have a positive thought or are experiencing something encouraging, try and hold onto it and prolong it. Get into the practice of doing this and try to really enjoy and savor the positive ones, consciously. When you have a negative thought, acknowledge that it is okay and feel into it, but don’t dwell on it. Imagine the thought as a cloud that you notice and acknowledge but allow to float away.
Be gentle with yourself…
Realize that we all have negative thoughts, it is normal. We are not our thoughts; they are passing by in our minds, but they do not define us as who we are. When a thought comes up, don’t beat yourself up about it. Be gentle with yourself and realize that it happens to everyone, even experienced meditators!
Practice positive affirmations…
Try saying positive affirmations to yourself. These literally change the chemistry in our brains and change our beliefs about ourselves over time. Try phrases like, “I love my life,” “I am worthy of what I desire,” “I am enough,” as a few examples. Even if you feel silly doing it at the moment, trust that it is actually working!
Surround yourself with positivity…
This one might sound obvious but how many times do you spend time with someone and feel completely drained after? On the other hand, do you ever see a friend you haven’t seen in a while, and you feel like you literally just drank a cup of coffee or feel a surge of energy after? Surround yourself with people that give you energy and add to your life positively. They do say we are a compilation of our closest connections, make them count!
Contact VIP Ketamine Clinics
Our Modesto, CA ketamine clinic offers ketamine infusions for a variety of mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. Our first priority is the emotional, mental and physical wellbeing of our patients. If you or a loved one are suffering from a psychiatric disorder, contact our ketamine clinic for a free consultation. We will help point you in the direction of health and wellness, whatever direction that may be.