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When negative thoughts pop into your head, they change the way you feel. They can even alter the way you act.
Just look at what happens during road rage. Drivers who haven’t even met each other before can sometimes get into shootouts over something as mundane as being cut up on the highway.
When you have negative thoughts, it influences what you want to do. You might want to harm yourself, someone else or their property. And you don’t think twice because the thoughts are so intense. What is criminal damage compared to getting revenge?
In this post, we take a look at some of the ways that you can cleanse your mind of negative thoughts. You’ll find that after doing this, your mental health will improve. Often, you can nip compulsions in the bud before they turn into action.
Write Down Things That You’re Grateful For In Your Life
One way to defuse the rage and tension is to write down all of the things you’re grateful for in your life. When you start doing this, you’ll find that the list is longer than you think. What’s more, when you’re in a state of gratitude, it is almost impossible to feel negative emotions at the same time. You suddenly realize what matters in life and move on.
Take A Walk
Sitting there brooding will just make you feel angrier and angrier. Thoughts will continue swirling in your head, making you think about acting in ways you wouldn’t normally consider.
If you find yourself in this state, go for a brisk walk. Often releasing energy through the body is a great way to relieve the mind as well.
Taking a walk can also help you get away from a negative environment. You feel better able to deal with the turmoil when you’re alone.
Change Your Point Of View
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The words we use to talk to ourselves have a profound impact on how we feel. For instance, instead of saying something like “I’m going through a dreadful time at the moment and I am so angry with my spouse,” say something like “I am going through a challenging time, but I know this experience will make me stronger.”
Just changing the way you speak to yourself can have a profound effect on how you feel. Often, you’ll notice that you feel considerably better, just by switching up a few words.
Change Your Body Language
Body language is the result of what’s happening in the mind, but it can also work the other way. Acting in a certain manner changes how you feel.
Let’s say that you’re sitting in a chair in your kitchen and you’re feeling glum. What is your body language? Well, if you’re like 99 percent of people, you’re stooped over and have a long face.
Try sitting up straight and smiling, no matter how unnatural it feels. You’ll notice that doing this changes your mood. It tricks your brain into thinking you're happy, and so it starts to act accordingly.
