Challenging Negative Thoughts

I often find myself in situations I do not wish to be in and while we cannot control everything around us, anxiety can be reduced when facing stressful situations by challenging negative thoughts that arise.

Self-Talk (talking to yourself) is a great tool for a person who is suffering from anxiety to learn; self-talk is the running commentary you do inside your head when the negative thoughts and impulses spring into action. Self-Talk is a way for you to gain back the control you feel you are losing.

Learning to change the way you think can ease a stressful situation and lesson the anxiety. When you are fueled by anxiety your danger walls pop into place and you are running full throttle on adrenaline, it can be difficult to think rationally when you are frightened. By challenging negative thoughts using the self-talk method you are able to remind yourself that you are in control.

Anxiety shows us the perception of what we think we see, this is not always true. It is always wise to challenge negative thoughts the self-talk, when a depressed person listens to the self-talk those views will always appear negative, again not a fact. The negative talk comes from the depressed negative mood and thoughts.

By challenging negative thoughts you are allowing yourself time to put things into perspective, to calm down your racing thoughts and make the situation more bearable for yourself. If you can stop fearing the worst and remove the negatives in a situation, it can be extremely helpful and make all the difference.

When a negative thought arises you must challenge that aspect of your thinking, are the thoughts irrational, negative or frightening? If so look for the hard faced facts that prove those thoughts? Challenging your negative thoughts means looking for proof in a way. What makes these negative thoughts real or truthful?