How to Break Free of Overwhelming Negative Thoughts

Do you ever find yourself stuck in a pattern of negative thoughts? Do these thoughts become so frequent and so loud that they feel overwhelming? 

If you answered yes to either question, then you are one of many who find it difficult to break free of overwhelming negative thoughts. The good news is that we have no control over our thoughts or feelings, so experiencing negative thoughts does not mean you are a negative person. What we do have control over is how we respond to our thoughts and feelings. 

We can either choose to go with the thought, making the negative pattern stronger, or simply observe and accept the thought and choose not to go with it, making the negative pattern weaker. 

One exercise I teach my clients is to visualize themselves standing on the edge of a river next to a large tree leaning over the water with its leaves falling gently into the current. I ask my clients to imagine placing their negative thoughts on the leaves and watch them slowly float along the river and out of sight. 

Repeating this exercise with each negative thought that appears can help train your brain to observe and accept until the negative thought passes. Remember, getting stuck in negative thoughts is nothing to fear! We cannot decide what thoughts to have or not have, but we can choose how we want to respond.