Dealing with negative thoughts

Sad 2I’ve been reading a lot about ACT lately, Acceptance and committment Therapy. I just wanted to share some nuggets of wisdom from Russ Harris. He talks about what to do with unhelpful thoughts and lists a bunch of questions that can support you in making postive decisions about where to focus your attention and how to manage the thoughts that are potentially damaging and negative.

Is this thought in any way useful or helpful?

Is this an old thought that is no longer relevant?

What happens when I get wound up in this thought?

Does this thought help me to become a better person?

If this thought was guiding my actions what would happen?

Sometimes even just recognising the thought as a thought (as silly as that sounds) can help you create a little perspective on it. I often say to clients “what happens if I have the thought that I’m going to turn into a purple elephant?” Generally they laugh, then realise just because I have that thought doesn’t make it true, or even likely to occur. 

If you’re after more help on dealing with troublesome thoughts drop me a line.

 

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