Why do bad thoughts come into my head?
- Recently, a bad event happened to you, the consequences of which are making themselves felt. Perhaps you were unable to resolve that situation, and now you know that additional difficulties lie ahead.
- You feel generally depressed. Nothing very bad has happened in the recent future, but you have already been in an apathetic state for a long time, and it is difficult for you to switch to something positive.
- Bad thoughts are your constant companions. You are often afraid that something bad will happen, and given several options for the development of the situation, you are inclined towards the most unfavorable.
Bad, bad or obsessive thoughts can appear in every person's head for a variety of reasons, but it is important to know that they are all easily correctable.
Autotraining
How to deal with self-pity? With exactingness and rigor? How to stop worrying and worrying? Psychologists advise using the auto-training method and learning to recognize your emotions.
What does this mean? Autotraining is nothing more than self-hypnosis, setting consciousness in a positive way. For example, in one of the famous Russian films, the heroine repeated to herself the words that she was the most attractive and charming.
As soon as a person is seized by anxiety, fears arise, and bad images appear in the imagination, you need to stop the stream of consciousness, close your eyes and repeat several times to yourself or, if possible, out loud, phrases that convince you that everything is very good. Auto-training helps not only in the fight against habits that interfere with the expulsion of obsessive, bad thoughts. With its help you can cope with the negative type of thinking itself. But for this, self-hypnosis should be carried out not when the need for it arises, but every day, at the same time. Psychologists believe that the best hour for auto-training is before bed. Of course, it makes sense to do this activity in the morning, but most people spend it in a hurry, in a bustle, and even eat breakfast on the run. Accordingly, they are unlikely to be able to relax and tune in to the positive.
Awareness of emotions is a complex process. Its essence is that before saying or doing anything, a person must “freeze” and understand what caused his reaction. For example, if a child says that he went into the forest to pick mushrooms with a dog, the parents’ first reaction is not to let him in. Before you stop your child from going for a walk, you need to count to yourself to 10 and take a deep breath. At this time, the realization will come that the reaction is based on obsessive fear, the habit of thinking through the development of events in a negative way, and other similar emotions.
Where do negative thoughts in your head come from?
1. Lack of self-confidence
You are quite biased towards yourself - it seems to you that you are a failure in life, and it is unlikely that you will be able to get anything good from fate. When trying to decide on something, you think many times about what it might lead to, what obstacles you will encounter on your way, whether you are capable of this task, whether you will look stupid, humiliating, and the like. As a result, more often than not, you prefer to stay in your “shell” and do nothing, and the next point follows from this.
2. Unrealization
You understand that if it weren’t for your complexes and doubts, you could have achieved a lot, but now you are forced to only regret missed opportunities and imagine how things would have been if you had acted more decisively. However, you continue to miss your chances, and it becomes a kind of vicious circle.
3. Powerlessness
You were faced with an event that had a negative impact on you, but your main problem is that you could not resist these circumstances, and perhaps you still cannot. You don't know what to expect next, feeling completely powerless in your situation.
4. Guilt
You feel guilty about something. Perhaps you have let someone down or offended someone. These thoughts haunt you, forcing you to replay the current situation in your head over and over again, aggravating the feeling of guilt.
Why is negative thinking dangerous? Why do you need to fight it?
Any negativity is destructive and carries a destructive beginning. If bad thoughts constantly creep into your head and become intrusive, then this inevitably affects the quality of a person’s life. Such thoughts interfere with sleep, prevent relaxation and rest, prevent joy, and set you up for failure.
The thought is material. Of course, this is a highly controversial statement. However, it is a well-known fact that people with a positive type of thinking achieve success in life. Those who constantly expect trouble are sure to encounter various difficulties and troubles.
Accordingly, the danger of negative thinking is that it tunes a person exclusively to the bad and does not allow him to notice the good. In addition, obsessive thoughts that constantly spin in the mind have a negative impact on health. After all, if a person cannot get enough sleep, is not able to relax, then this will inevitably lead to some kind of disease, for example, increased blood pressure or arrhythmia.
Accordingly, it is important to get rid of bad, evil, and negative thoughts from your head. You need to get rid of destructive thinking
This can be done with the help of a psychotherapist or on your own.
How to get rid of a lot of bad thoughts
First, you need to determine what exactly is the cause of negative thoughts. Don't hide from the situation, and don't try to downplay it - clearly admit to yourself what your problem is.
- Take a piece of paper and write down what the most negative consequences await you if your worst assumptions come true. By admitting to yourself what could happen, you mentally prepare yourself for the worst without trying to hide from it.
- On the same sheet of paper, write down what you can do to make the situation change for the better for you. The question is not whether you want to do it or not. You must be clearly aware of what ways there are to solve the problem, regardless of whether you like them or not.
- Allow yourself small pleasures. For example, buy a bar of your favorite chocolate, which is not only a good antidepressant, but will undoubtedly be able to distract you at least a little from your current worries.
- It may make sense to start taking mild sedatives for a while. Some people prefer valerian drops. You can take a short course for 15-20 days, since valerian has a cumulative effect. In the morning, afternoon and evening, dilute 15 drops of tincture in half a glass of warm water. Of course, you should consult your doctor before using this advice.
Our minds are beautiful
Thoughts can be bright, beautiful and helpful at times, and dangerous at other times. Navigating their labyrinths is like navigating a minefield or walking a tightrope.
Our mind is a powerful tool and we use it, along with inspiration and intuition, to create. This is a wonderful quality of the mind when it works for good. Our mind is also critical and analytical, and can direct our attention to identify the causes of fear, which helps us identify the real, immediate danger. As a rule, life experience and inner instinct help clarify such situations. At such moments, feelings, instincts and reason act together.
Distinguishing real from false fear can be very difficult. To do this, we must tune in and really “listen” to our inner leader. Which, coupled with a clear assessment of the current situation and an appeal to logic, will help us figure out whether we are really in a dangerous situation or whether scary and negative thoughts are coming into our heads that have no real reason or purpose.
How to abstract yourself from negativity
Forget an unpleasant situation
You may think that this is very difficult to do, but most likely you have not tried enough to achieve the desired result. It is important to realize that the event that worries you is really behind you, and no amount of thinking will prevent this situation from happening in the past. However, by reliving those events again and again, you leave them in your present, instead of turning this page of life and leaving it behind you. Think about what you could do with your time if you didn't regularly engage in completely unnecessary thoughts.
Get rid of vulgar thoughts
To get rid of this kind of thinking, you should redirect it in a completely different direction. Think about pressing everyday issues or tasks that you need to solve at work. Also, a good option in such cases is watching some invigorating films - for example, comedies.
How not to beat yourself up
Remember how many times you expected some catastrophic consequences from a situation, but in the end nothing special happened. What were you thinking at those moments? They probably reproached themselves for “overthinking.” Think how unproductive this is! It turns out that nothing terrible happens, but you experience the whole “bouquet” of negative sensations as if the worst had happened. It turns out that it makes no difference what the outcome will be if, anyway, you have already begun to undermine your nervous system.
Make yourself a rule: you will not think about bad things, and you will do everything in your power to resolve some pressing issue. If the outcome turns out to be unsatisfactory, you will give vent to your worries, but until then there is no reason for them!
How to deal with negativity - advice from a psychologist
1)
Give yourself a break. For example, if, in an unpredictable development of events, you are immediately overcome by negative thoughts, learn to change this tradition. Do not “flare up” in any unclear or negative situations. Switch your attention immediately to something else - call a colleague on some business, relatives or friends. Naturally, do not discuss the problem that has arisen with them. Talk about something else, listen to them. In the meantime, the initial emotions will subside and you will be able to think more rationally about the situation.
2)
Think positive. If you are faced with something unpleasant, and you have already had time to calmly think about how you can eliminate this aspect from your life, then you no longer need to return to these thoughts again and again. Make a decision right away about what you can do and whether you can do it at all. After this, interrupt your thoughts on gloomy topics with some pleasant thoughts - about the past or upcoming vacation, about some pleasant event, and the like.
Self-help methods
At the initial stage of development of an obsessive state, a person can cope with it independently. I want to offer some advice from psychologists that will help remove “mental gum” from your head.
Give up the fight
The very first and most important rule in the fight against obsessive thoughts is to stop fighting them. The more you try to get rid of them, the more attention you pay to obsessions. And this takes away your energy, strength, and depletes your body.
A rule that will help here can be figuratively expressed as follows: “To avoid thinking about blue elephants, think about an orange dog.”
The point of this rule is to switch your attention. Do you feel overwhelmed by obsessive thoughts? Focus on solving pressing matters or remember pleasant moments from the past
Postpone unpleasant thoughts for later
You accepted and realized your obsessive thoughts. So that they don’t constantly torment you, just put off thinking about them until later. Set aside 30 minutes a day, which you will completely devote to annoying thoughts, think about the situations that bother you.
This method will help get rid of excessive anxiety. Your consciousness will calm down, because you agreed with it that you will definitely think about the unpleasant, but later. As a result, you will be able to calmly deal with pressing matters, without being distracted by extraneous unnecessary thoughts. Just be honest with yourself and be sure to keep your promise to yourself.
Get creative
Creativity is a great way to cope with obsessive feelings. Express the feelings and thoughts that bother you on paper. You can draw them or sculpt them from plasticine
It doesn't matter how good your creativity is. The main task is to express the painful obsession as accurately as possible
Now is the time to get rid of it. Tear your creation into small pieces, burn it, throw it in the trash, break it, trample it. In a word - destroy. After this you will feel relief and freedom from negativity.
Divert your attention
Interestingly, while observing various dynamic processes, the brain perceives everything else as less important or completely insignificant. That is why, when we look at fire or a stream of water, sticky and nasty ideas fade into the background
They leave us alone, and we feel a surge of strength, energy and inspiration. This method is great for relaxing the brain.
Look for secondary benefits
Sometimes obsessive thoughts arise against the background of unresolved problems from which a person is trying to hide. If you correctly identify the problem and solve it, you will get rid of obsession and neurosis. It could be a job you don’t like, a boring and outdated relationship, studying at an institute in the specialty your parents chose for you.
All these questions prevent you from achieving success. Read more about this in the article “How to become successful.”
Take it to the point of absurdity
Laughter is a great way to relieve accumulated stress and anxiety. Let's say you're tormented by obsessive thoughts that a man won't like you on the first date. Now imagine his frightened face, how he falls from his chair and tries to run away. At the same time, he stumbles and falls again. Fantasize until you laugh.
This technique will not help overly serious people. They have already forgotten what it is to have fun. But life is easier and more interesting with humor. But I do not at all urge you to be frivolous and irresponsible.
Mentally destroy the obsession
I would like to suggest one interesting technique. Use it when you feel that obsessive thoughts are starting to take over you.
- Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Take deep breaths and exhales. Psychologists say that you need to inhale courage and exhale fear. Focus on your breathing and sensations. This will help you relax and calm down.
- When you are completely relaxed and free from tension, imagine the same image that is exhausting you. Give free rein to your imagination and destroy it by any means that come to mind.
How to clear your mind of unnecessary intrusive thoughts
1. Relax
Every person has an activity in mind that helps him clear his mind of unnecessary thoughts. For some, it’s enough to eat their favorite dish in a cafe, meet a friend for a cup of tea, go to the movies, visit a spa, swim in the pool, go shopping, and so on. Think about what brings relaxation to you specifically.
2. Play sports
Probably, many have heard that sport helps to keep oneself in good shape in many troubles in life, but most often this advice is not taken into account. Meanwhile, it is one of the most effective! As you know, physical activity not only has a beneficial effect on physical health, but also significantly strengthens moral health. Believe me, your stress level will soon decrease, and your own improved reflection in the mirror will not fail to add positive thoughts to you.
Prayer for bad thoughts
If you are a believer, then most likely, prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos will be able to bring you peace.
It sounds like this:
“My Most Holy Lady Theotokos, with Your saints and all-powerful prayers, drive away from me, Your humble and accursed servant, despondency, oblivion, foolishness, negligence, and all the nasty, evil and crazy thoughts from my accursed heart and from my darkened mind; and extinguish the flame of my passions, for I am poor and damned. And deliver me from many and cruel memories and enterprises, and free me from all evil actions. For Thou art blessed from all generations, and glorified is Thy most honorable name forever and ever. Amen".
How to get thoughts of a person out of your head
Realize that when you think about this person, you are clinging to the past, because if you do not want to think about a certain person, it means that he is not in your present life, or you do not want this. You know very well that the past is unchangeable, but you own your present and future! Think about what you spend it on? Are there really no people more dear to you in your life right now that you could think about and who deserve your attention and care?
How and what to do to distract yourself:
- The more you are busy with important and interesting things, the less time you will have for unproductive thoughts about the person you don’t want to think about.
- Meet with your family or close friends more often. In conversations with him, you do not remember the past that you are trying to forget. Spend time in a warm, cozy and positive atmosphere!
- Take up interesting hobbies that have attracted you for a long time. We can talk about dancing classes, training in the gym, painting lessons, vocal lessons, embroidery, horse riding and much more.
- Try registering on a dating site or going to various crowded events more often. Your task is to start meeting other people, even if you don’t feel like it right now. Gradually, new acquaintances will displace from your life all the remnants of a past that has long been unnecessary to you.
- Traveling is one of the best and most enjoyable ways to escape. Give yourself a firm determination to leave all bad thoughts in your hometown, going on a trip with a light heart and a clear head. Choose a tour according to your preferences - a beach holiday or numerous excursions. It will be great if some loved one joins you. Surely, while traveling you will gain so many positive emotions that upon arrival the thoughts that previously bothered you will seem distant and meaningless.
The fight between good and bad
I always remember the parable about two wolves. I will try to retell it briefly.
An old Indian somehow revealed the truth of life to his grandson, just as I once discovered it for myself. Inside every person there is a struggle between good and bad, this war is like the struggle of two wolves, white and black.
The white wolf represents peace, goodness, love, joy, support, sympathy, compassion, faith, generosity, loyalty and other positive things. The black wolf represents the exact opposite: evil, anger, envy, selfishness, lies, jealousy, greed, arrogance and other unpleasant things.
The old Indian’s answer about who would win this fight remained in the memory of his little grandson for a long time. “The wolf you feed wins!”
The same can be said about negative thoughts... that's what this article is about!
