Do you ever feel like a certain topic keeps coming up in completely unrelated circumstances? Well, lately, I've read unrelated books and had several conversations with people who don't know each other about how our thoughts shape our lives. I feel like I'm being surrounded. So I'm taking the hint and really delving deep into the topic to see what I need to hear. Actually thought control is a large part of how I overcome anxiety. The interesting thing is that in order to have control of my thoughts, I didn't focus on getting the negative thoughts out; I focus on putting positive thoughts in. Since N & I have been under a lot stress lately, I wonder how our thoughts contribute to our feeling stress. Here is how I start the process of controlling my thoughts:
1) When I'm feeling calm and the kids are occupied, I think of some simple sentences that I know are true and good and healthy. Sometimes these are from the Bible, like "I have a sound mind." Sometimes these are things that I need to hear, like "I have plenty of time, or I am a good mom."
2) Whenever I'm feeling frazzled or anxious, I start repeating these sayings over and over in my mind. I repeat them slowly and purposefully.
3) If I notice that in a certain situation, I'm more frazzled than others or I'm repeating thoughts in my head that are causing harm, then I try to come up with sentences that are made for that situation. Sometimes we say things to ourselves that we would never tell someone else, like "I am so fat." If you wouldn't tell others, then don't tell yourself that either. Be as courteous to yourself as you are to others. Instead of trying to stop saying "I am so fat," when you catch yourself saying that, then repeat to yourself, "I am becoming healthier and healthier."
Recently I've been so frustrated with the kids and I have caught myself thinking "No one listens to me." This of course is a gross overstatement, but if I tell myself this enough times, then I will believe it, and it will shape my attitude. I found myself becoming more angry and less patient with the kids. I've started to say to myself that "The kids will learn how to listen to me." "I can figure out how to teach them to listen."
Over time, when you fill your head with healthy words, then these words will heal your attitude and make you feel so much better about your life. They can even help motivate you to try new things and gain new confidence.
That being said there are times when your brain chemistry can be off, and it becomes close to impossible to shape your thoughts. The negative overcomes the positive. If this is the case, and you, for whatever reason, can't go see a psychiatrist or counselor (which I strongly recommend), then I suggest you try taking Fish Oil capsules. Most Americans are extremely nutritionally deficient in Omega 3s and there has been a link between lack of Omega 3s and the increasing incidence of Depression and Bipolar Disorder. For more information about all of the scientific studies, please read The Omega 3 Connection by Dr. Andrew Stoll.
Hope this helps everyone.
1) When I'm feeling calm and the kids are occupied, I think of some simple sentences that I know are true and good and healthy. Sometimes these are from the Bible, like "I have a sound mind." Sometimes these are things that I need to hear, like "I have plenty of time, or I am a good mom."
2) Whenever I'm feeling frazzled or anxious, I start repeating these sayings over and over in my mind. I repeat them slowly and purposefully.
3) If I notice that in a certain situation, I'm more frazzled than others or I'm repeating thoughts in my head that are causing harm, then I try to come up with sentences that are made for that situation. Sometimes we say things to ourselves that we would never tell someone else, like "I am so fat." If you wouldn't tell others, then don't tell yourself that either. Be as courteous to yourself as you are to others. Instead of trying to stop saying "I am so fat," when you catch yourself saying that, then repeat to yourself, "I am becoming healthier and healthier."
Recently I've been so frustrated with the kids and I have caught myself thinking "No one listens to me." This of course is a gross overstatement, but if I tell myself this enough times, then I will believe it, and it will shape my attitude. I found myself becoming more angry and less patient with the kids. I've started to say to myself that "The kids will learn how to listen to me." "I can figure out how to teach them to listen."
Over time, when you fill your head with healthy words, then these words will heal your attitude and make you feel so much better about your life. They can even help motivate you to try new things and gain new confidence.
That being said there are times when your brain chemistry can be off, and it becomes close to impossible to shape your thoughts. The negative overcomes the positive. If this is the case, and you, for whatever reason, can't go see a psychiatrist or counselor (which I strongly recommend), then I suggest you try taking Fish Oil capsules. Most Americans are extremely nutritionally deficient in Omega 3s and there has been a link between lack of Omega 3s and the increasing incidence of Depression and Bipolar Disorder. For more information about all of the scientific studies, please read The Omega 3 Connection by Dr. Andrew Stoll.
Hope this helps everyone.
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