8 Common Cognitive Distortions & 8 Healthy Ways To Deal With It

Why Do Negative Thoughts Come To Mind?

Unfortunately, many external influences can negatively affect our thinking. Negative thoughts can come into our minds for a variety of reasons. These can include negative messages from the media, peer pressure, and other sources of stress, like due to some experience or something we heard or read. It could also be due to our worries or anxieties. It can be helpful to identify the source of the negative thoughts to manage them better. It's essential to be aware of these and to take steps to protect ourselves from their effects. Practicing self-care, mindfulness, and positive self-talk can reframe our thinking and protect us from negative influences. Additionally, spending time with supportive family and friends and engaging yourself in activities that bring joy and fulfillment can help to keep our minds in a positive space. Seeking professional help can also be beneficial in dealing with negative thoughts.

Table Of Contents

• Why Do Negative Thoughts Come To Mind?
• What Is Cognitive Distortion?
• 8 Common Cognitive Distortions
• The Effects Of Negative Thinking
• How To Overcome Negative Thoughts
• 7 Healthy Ways To Deal With Negative Thoughts
• How To Train Your Brain To Challenge The Negative Thinking
• Building Self-Esteem By Changing Negative Thoughts
• Examples Of Negative Thoughts Turning Into Positive Thoughts
• A Spiritual Way To Remove Negative Thoughts From The Mind
• 6 Simple Ways To Clear Negativity From The Mind
• 5 Easy Ways To Remove Negative Energy From The House
• 10 Feng Shui Tips To Remove Negative Energy

What Is Cognitive Distortion?

A cognitive distortion is a phenomenon in which a person's thinking is biased in a way that causes them to perceive and interpret the world around them differently from reality.

8 Common Cognitive Distortions

(cognitive distortions that can lead to negative emotions, stress, and anxiety include):

1. Overgeneralization - making a general conclusion based on one or two isolated experiences

2. Mental Filter - only focusing on the negative and ignoring the positive.
3. Jumping to Conclusions - You make a negative interpretation even though no definite facts convincingly support your conclusion.
4. Eliminating the positive: You deny a positive experience by demanding that it "doesn't count" for some explanation.
5. Emotional Reasoning - You assume that your negative emotions necessarily reflect how things are: "I feel it; therefore, it must be true."
6. Exaggeration & Minimization - You are overstating the negative and limiting the positive. In detail, You exaggerate the importance of things (such as someone else's achievement), or you minimize the importance of the positive things that have happened.
7. Should statements - You attempt to inspire yourself with shoulds and shouldn'ts, as if you need to be beaten and punished before anything is expected of you.
8. Tagging and Mislabeling: This is an extreme form of over-generalization. Instead of explaining the specifics of the mistake, attach a negative tag to yourself: "I'm a failure."

Taking the time to recognize and challenge these cognitive distortions can help reduce negative thinking.

The Effects Of Negative Thinking

Negative thinking can significantly impact our mental, physical, and emotional well-being. It can lead to anxiety, depression, fear of failure, low self-esteem, and even physical ailments such as headaches, fatigue, and muscle tension. It can also lead to negative behaviors such as procrastination, avoidance, and pessimism. It is vital to combat negative thinking, challenge negative considerations and convictions, practice appreciation and positive self-talk, and concentrate on the present moment. It is also helpful to talk to a friend or seek professional help if you struggle with negative thoughts or feelings.

How To Overcome Negative Thoughts

The most powerful way to deal with negative thoughts is to practice positive self-talk. It is essential to be careful with the words you tell yourself and to focus on positive statements. Focusing on positive statements can help you to reframe your thoughts and gain a more positive outlook. Additionally, practicing mindfulness and focusing on the present moment is essential. This can help you to become more aware of your thoughts and to shift your focus away from the negative ones. Finally, engaging in activities that make you happy and taking the time to nurture yourself are important. Doing things that bring you joy and make you feel fulfilled can help lift your spirits and make it easier to get out of a negative mindset.

7 Healthy Ways To Deal With Negative Thoughts

1. Develop a positive mindset: Challenge any negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Remind yourself of your strengths and accomplishments, and focus on the good things in life.

2. Practice gratitude: Take time to appreciate the people and things in your life that bring you joy.

3. Stay active: Exercise releases endorphins and can help to refocus your mind.

4. Get plenty of rest: Lack of sleep can lead to negative thinking, so it's important to make sure that you're getting enough restful sleep. One way to do this is to create a consistent sleep schedule and practice good sleep hygiene.

5. Connect with others: Seek supportive friends or family members who can help you stay positive.

6. Find a hobby: Pursue activities that you enjoy and that make you feel good.

7. Write it out - Journaling is a great way to process negative energy. Writing down your thoughts can help you gain clarity and understanding about what you're going through.

8. Seek professional help: If negative thoughts persist, it can be helpful to talk to a mental health professional.

How To Train Your Brain To Challenge The Negative Thinking

Training your brain to challenge negative thinking can be a great way to help improve your mental and emotional well-being. Here are some tips that may help:

Acknowledge your thoughts- Recognize when you're having negative thoughts and identify what they are.

Question why- Ask yourself why you think this way and identify the root cause.

Reframe your thoughts-Reframe your thoughts more positively and constructively.

Keep a journal-Writing down your thoughts can help you gain clarity and put them into perspective.

Take a break- Step away from the situation and take a few deep breaths.

Focus on the positives-Try to focus on the positive aspects of the situation rather than the negatives.

Practice self-care-Take time for yourself to do something you enjoy and practice mindfulness.

Make a plan-Make a plan of how you can reframe your negative thoughts and challenge them. 

By implementing these tips, you can start to train your brain to challenge negative thinking and create more positive and constructive thinking patterns.

Building Self-Esteem By Changing Negative Thoughts

Building self-esteem can be difficult, but it is possible and worth the effort! One way to start is by recognizing the negative thoughts and ideas you may have about yourself and turning them into positive, more helpful thoughts. When a negative thought pops up, challenge it and replace it with something more positive. You can also practice positive self-talk and focus on the things you like about yourself. Celebrate your success, no matter how small, and be kind to yourself. These steps can help build your self-esteem and lead to positive life changes.

Examples Of Negative Thoughts Turning Into Positive Thoughts

Negative thoughts can be overwhelming and hard to overcome. However, with the right mindset and determination, you can start transforming those negative thoughts into positive ones. Here are some examples:

Instead of thinking, "I'm inconsiderable," try thinking, "I am significant, and I can do this." 

Instead of thinking, "It is impossible," try thinking, "It's possible and can be done, and I will find a way." 

Instead of thinking, "I'm not smart enough," try thinking, "I am smart enough, and I will take this step-by-step." 

Instead of thinking, "I'm not strong enough," try thinking, "I am strong enough, and I can find the strength to overcome this." 

Instead of thinking, "I don't deserve this," try thinking, "I genuinely deserve this, and I will take the required steps to make it happen." 

You can find the strength and courage to move forward by changing negative thoughts to positive ones.

A Spiritual Way To Remove Negative Thoughts From The Mind

Practicing mindfulness and meditation is a great way to remove negative thoughts from your mind. Mindfulness involves being aware of your thoughts and emotions without judging them. Meditation is a great way to help clear your mind and focus on the present moment. You can also try positive affirmations, which are short phrases or mantras that you repeat to yourself to help shift your mindset and focus on the positive. Additionally, connecting with a spiritual community or finding a spiritual mentor can help develop a positive outlook.

6 Simple Ways To Clear Negativity From The Mind

1. Take time for yourself - Spend time alone, focusing on your well-being. Take a long bath, walk in nature, read a book, or do something that makes you feel relaxed and peaceful.

2. Surround yourself with positive people – Positive people have a way of lifting everyone's spirits. Spend time with people who are uplifting and make you feel good.

3. Practice mindfulness – Mindfulness can help you become aware of your viewpoints and sentiments in the present moment. This can help you clear away any negative energy or thoughts weighing you down.

4. Meditate - Meditation can be a great way to clear negative energy. Focusing on your breathing or chanting a mantra or a phrase can help you stay focused in the current moment and let go of any stress or worries.

5. Exercise - Exercise is a great way to release any negative energy. Whether it's running, swimming, or even just taking a walk, it can help you clear your head and relax.

6. Write it out - Journaling is a great way to process negative energy. Writing down your thoughts can help you gain clarity and understanding about what you're going through.

5 Easy Ways To Remove Negative Energy From The House

1. Open the windows of the house and let some fresh air in. This will help to circulate and release stagnant energy.

2. Place some house plants around your home. The plants will help to absorb the negative energy in your home and replace it with positive energy.

3. Burning sage or incense can help to clear negative energy, as well as promote peace and relaxation.

4. Hang crystals around your home. Crystals are known for their ability to absorb and transmute negative energy.

5. Place a bowl of salt in each room of your home. Salt is known to absorb negative energy and can help to purify your home.

10 Feng Shui Tips To Remove Negative Energy

1. Place an Aventurine crystal in the room's southwest corner to promote positive energy and reduce negative energy.

2. Hang a wind chime in the east corner of the room to cleanse and purify the space.

3. Place a fresh fruit bowl in the room's southeast corner to promote abundance.

4. Hang a mirror in the north section of the room to reflect any negative energy away from the space.

5. Place a citrine crystal in the center of the room to bring positive energy and help balance the space.

6. Place a potted plant in the south corner of the room to help cleanse the air and bring in fresh oxygen.

7. Hang a painting or wall hanging of a waterfall in the west corner of the room for a calming effect.

8. Place a bowl of sea salt in the room's corners to absorb negative energy.

9. Light some incense and let it circulate in the room to clear the energy.

10. Place a Buddha statue in the northeast corner of the room to bring peace and tranquility.