Do You Struggle with Negative Thinking?
A lifetime of fear, shame, and other harmful emotions can lead to chronic negative thinking. Here are just a few examples of what fuels persistent negative thoughts.
- Unresolved anger, shame, and other harmful emotions.
- Becoming too consumed with what others are doing that may not concern you.
- Mistreatment from others or being in an abusive relationship.
- Frequently rehashing past mistakes and wrong decisions.
- The need to always be right.
“Flip the Switch” To Positive Thinking.
A few years ago, my therapist taught me how to turn off my negative thinking and excessive ruminating. She encouraged me to turn off my invading negative thoughts by “flipping the switch.”
You can do this silent, mental exercise anytime and anywhere. Here is how it works:
1. Flip the switch. When you become lost in negative thinking, break the cycle by using your finger to flip off an imaginary “negative thought” control switch in your mind. Use the same motion as you would when turning off a light switch.
Eventually, you will not have to go through that motion. “Flipping the switch will become a mental habit.
2. Replace the negative thought. Think of a loving word or phrase to silently replace the negative thoughts. Some examples are love, peace, Jesus, “Rejoice in the Lord. “It’s a good day,”
I suggest you use the same loving word or phrase each time. Watch how other positive thoughts will follow your loving word or phrase.
3. Keep practicing. When negative thinking returns (and it will), then start the process over. Flip off the negative thoughts and think of your loving word or phrase.
You may never be free of negative thoughts. That is okay. Some negative thoughts can protect you from harm. However, your goal is to be a positive and peaceful person.
Read My Story.
I struggled with disabling, negative thinking for most of my life. I knew God promised us peace through faith in Jesus Christ. However, I had to learn to put some actions to my faith. “Flip the switch” is one of the techniques I learned years ago and still use today.
My faith in God and my daily practice of this technique have relieved my lifelong habit of negative thinking. I pray you will also discover the kind of peace that I now enjoy. +
Finally, if you or someone you love is thinking about hurting yourself or others, please seek professional help immediately. If you do not know where to turn for help, please get in touch with us. We will be happy to assist you.
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The flip the switch technique really helped me, I was leaving an abusive toxic relationship and practicing this technique led me away from ruminating thoughts . Thank you