"Who's the Boss?" 10 ways to start taking control
"Who's the Boss?" 10 ways to start taking control
At first glance, it would seem that positive thinking and Post-Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD) have nothing to do with one another. But many of us with PTSD develop negative thinking patterns because we become frustrated by our challenges and frequent feelings of being overwhelmed. This negative outlook then makes it even harder for us to manage those challenges and move forward.
Practicing positive thinking allows people with PTSD to focus on our strengths and accomplishments, which increases happiness and motivation. This, in turn, allows us to spend more time making progress, and less time feeling down and stuck. The following tips provide practical suggestions that you can use to help you shift into more positive thinking patterns:
1. Take Good Care of Yourself
It's much easier to be positive when you are eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest.
2. Remind Yourself of the Things You Are Grateful For
Stresses and challenges don't seem quite as bad when you are constantly reminding yourself of the things that are right in life. Taking just 60 seconds a day to stop and appreciate the good things will make a huge difference.
3. Look for the Proof Instead of Making Assumptions
A fear of not being liked or accepted sometimes leads us to assume that we know what others are thinking, but our fears are usually not reality. If you have a fear that a friend or family member's bad mood is due to something you did, or that your co-workers are secretly gossiping about you when you turn your back, speak up and ask them. Don't waste time worrying that you did something wrong unless you have proof that there is something to worry about.
4. Refrain from Using Absolutes
Have you ever told a partner "You're ALWAYS late!" or complained to a friend "You NEVER call me!"? Thinking and speaking in absolutes like 'always' and 'never' makes the situation seem worse than it is, and programs your brain into believing that certain people are incapable of delivering.
5. Detach From Negative Thoughts
Your thoughts can't hold any power over you if you don't judge them. If you notice yourself having a negative thought, detach from it, witness it, and don't follow it. (I silently say the word “cancel”)
6. Squash the "ANTs"
In his book "Change Your Brain, Change Your Life," Dr. Daniel Amen talks about "ANTs" - Automatic Negative Thoughts. These are the bad thoughts that are usually reactionary, like "Those people are laughing, they must be talking about me," or "The boss wants to see me? It must be bad!" When you notice these thoughts, realize that they are nothing more than ANTs and squash them!
7. Practice Lovin', Touchin' & Squeezin' (Your Friends and Family)
You don't have to be an expert to know the benefits of a good hug. Positive physical contact with friends, loved ones, and even pets, is an instant pick-me-up. One research study on this subject had a waitress touch some of her customers on the arm as she handed them their checks. She received higher tips from these customers than from the ones she didn't touch!
8. Increase Your Social Activity
By increasing social activity, you decrease loneliness. Surround yourself with healthy, happy people, and their positive energy will affect you in a positive way!
9. Volunteer for an Organization, or Help another Person
Everyone feels good after helping. You can volunteer your time, your money, or your resources. The more positive energy you put out into the world, the more you will receive in return.
10. Use Pattern Interrupts to Combat Rumination
If you find yourself ruminating (spinning your wheels), a great way to stop it is to interrupt the pattern and force yourself to do something completely different. Rumination is like hyper-focus on something negative. It's never productive, because it's not rational or solution-oriented, it's just excessive worry. Try changing your physical environment - go for a walk or sit outside. You could also call a friend, pick up a book, or turn on some music. Motion creates emotion, act your way into “right” thinking.
10a. Buy my new book Wide Asleep (shameless plug)
Peace Be With You
Timothy Kendrick
Traci A. Jones
Marketing Representative
Tate Publishing & Enterprises, LLC
127 East Trade Center Terrace Mustang, OK 73064
1-888-361-9473 ext. 26
Email: traci@tatepublishing.com
Web Site: http://www.tatepublishing.com
At first glance, it would seem that positive thinking and Post-Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD) have nothing to do with one another. But many of us with PTSD develop negative thinking patterns because we become frustrated by our challenges and frequent feelings of being overwhelmed. This negative outlook then makes it even harder for us to manage those challenges and move forward.
Practicing positive thinking allows people with PTSD to focus on our strengths and accomplishments, which increases happiness and motivation. This, in turn, allows us to spend more time making progress, and less time feeling down and stuck. The following tips provide practical suggestions that you can use to help you shift into more positive thinking patterns:
1. Take Good Care of Yourself
It's much easier to be positive when you are eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest.
2. Remind Yourself of the Things You Are Grateful For
Stresses and challenges don't seem quite as bad when you are constantly reminding yourself of the things that are right in life. Taking just 60 seconds a day to stop and appreciate the good things will make a huge difference.
3. Look for the Proof Instead of Making Assumptions
A fear of not being liked or accepted sometimes leads us to assume that we know what others are thinking, but our fears are usually not reality. If you have a fear that a friend or family member's bad mood is due to something you did, or that your co-workers are secretly gossiping about you when you turn your back, speak up and ask them. Don't waste time worrying that you did something wrong unless you have proof that there is something to worry about.
4. Refrain from Using Absolutes
Have you ever told a partner "You're ALWAYS late!" or complained to a friend "You NEVER call me!"? Thinking and speaking in absolutes like 'always' and 'never' makes the situation seem worse than it is, and programs your brain into believing that certain people are incapable of delivering.
5. Detach From Negative Thoughts
Your thoughts can't hold any power over you if you don't judge them. If you notice yourself having a negative thought, detach from it, witness it, and don't follow it. (I silently say the word “cancel”)
6. Squash the "ANTs"
In his book "Change Your Brain, Change Your Life," Dr. Daniel Amen talks about "ANTs" - Automatic Negative Thoughts. These are the bad thoughts that are usually reactionary, like "Those people are laughing, they must be talking about me," or "The boss wants to see me? It must be bad!" When you notice these thoughts, realize that they are nothing more than ANTs and squash them!
7. Practice Lovin', Touchin' & Squeezin' (Your Friends and Family)
You don't have to be an expert to know the benefits of a good hug. Positive physical contact with friends, loved ones, and even pets, is an instant pick-me-up. One research study on this subject had a waitress touch some of her customers on the arm as she handed them their checks. She received higher tips from these customers than from the ones she didn't touch!
8. Increase Your Social Activity
By increasing social activity, you decrease loneliness. Surround yourself with healthy, happy people, and their positive energy will affect you in a positive way!
9. Volunteer for an Organization, or Help another Person
Everyone feels good after helping. You can volunteer your time, your money, or your resources. The more positive energy you put out into the world, the more you will receive in return.
10. Use Pattern Interrupts to Combat Rumination
If you find yourself ruminating (spinning your wheels), a great way to stop it is to interrupt the pattern and force yourself to do something completely different. Rumination is like hyper-focus on something negative. It's never productive, because it's not rational or solution-oriented, it's just excessive worry. Try changing your physical environment - go for a walk or sit outside. You could also call a friend, pick up a book, or turn on some music. Motion creates emotion, act your way into “right” thinking.
10a. Buy my new book Wide Asleep (shameless plug)
Peace Be With You
Timothy Kendrick
Traci A. Jones
Marketing Representative
Tate Publishing & Enterprises, LLC
127 East Trade Center Terrace Mustang, OK 73064
1-888-361-9473 ext. 26
Email: traci@tatepublishing.com
Web Site: http://www.tatepublishing.com
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Linda Marie on -
I have an exercise I do when I can't get control of my thinking. I know this is going to sound silly but just try it.
When you have a negative thought think of the thing that you were thinking of just prior to that thought and then think of the thing you were thinking of before that and just keep going until you find you have stopped thinking about what you were thinking about. Your left brain will get tired of the game and you will find yourself in a new space.
I know it has worked for many people and the time it works the best is at night when you can't stop thinking or worrying about all the things that we all worry about from time to time.
Blessings
Linda Marie
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Permalink Reply by Timothy Kendrick on -
That is so amazing. I do the same thing. Maybe I should make that number 11.
thank you linda marie
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Permalink Reply by Linda Marie on
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From everything I have read of yours it only makes sense. I know you understand PTSD more than most people but I know that if can happen to anyone who is going through a tough time. My mom taught me to do that when I was a little girl and when I learned hypnosis I understood how it worked. I wanted to ask you if your books are going to be audio? I think that would be a great thing for people to listen to before sleep to focus their energy on change.
Blessings
Linda Marie
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Permalink Reply by Charlene L. Ragsdale on -
One technique that I do is think of the "flip side".
For example, if someone is making me feel angry/hurt - I think of the POLAR opposite of that emotion and that situation. I focus on that OPPOSITE and then it becomes my reality and my focus.
"There is always two sides of every coin = situation"
Live life to the Max~
Charlene
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