Thought help: How do you get rid of the negative thoughts that run through your head and hound you day after day. - Help.com

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Well, you have to consciously make the effort to think more positive thoughts of course, and with enough practice it becomes more of a habit than doing the “negative” thinking. But when you catch yourself with a negative thought, tell yourself “stop it” (literally) and try to change it…. it’s like a bad habit, but you can change it!! Better things will start coming your way if you can create a more positive energy about yourself…

the more you feed the depression the more it stays with you.
try to beat it, with anyting you have !

I count my blessings, literally.

“I am grateful that it stopped raining so I could go for a walk.
I am grateful for the warmth of my fireplace.
I am grateful for the kitten purring on my lap.
I am grateful that I was able to pay my mortgage this month.
I am grateful that there’s homemade chicken soup for supper tonight.
I am grateful that my car is running.
I am grateful that I have work.

And when it’s such a big struggle that I don’t know where to begin, I’ll go through the alphabet. “I am grateful for the bag of apples my neighbor brought me … I am grateful for the good books I have to read … I am grateful for my cats … I am grateful for the dinner guests who are coming tomorrow … “

It may sound sappy, but it SOMETIMES, in fact, OFTEN drives away the negative thoughts.

Good luck.

Tell yourself that you are perfect You are the best You are to someone-GOD You were put here for a reason and when it seems likes its all falling apart
it is actually falling together

Try sleeping. Watching TV.

Same thing happens to me every day, really. I end up getting violent over it because it won’t stop…like a voice or something. You just need to try and focus as hard as you can on something else.

i dont really agree on watching tv, i think its better to do something where
you can put your mind into,likt this site or doing games.

Happens to a LOT of us every day, Pae. Sometimes I think there are two categories of people in the world: Those who are mostly succumbing to depression, and those of us who are mostly succeeding in the life-and-death struggle to fend off depression. Life is not easy. Which doesn’t mean that there’s not a lot of joy in it–there’s joy galore, but you have to work at it.

Keep working, guys.

I really like what theresape said about counting your blessings, and using the alphabet if I’m having a hard time coming up with stuff.

I’m going to try it.

Working at it is all you can do when it happens. But you can work and work to end it and it will still come back and drain you.

It’s like a temporary fix with the depression of knowing it’s going to come back. Many people don’t understand it…that’s why they have electroshock therapy for this crap.

It does come back. The work goes on. But the more you practice turning toward the joy, the more natural it becomes.

Good luck.

I’ve already come up with 18 good things starting with different letters! I’m surprised it was this easy.

Your message made me really happen, Seen!

You can start by pouring yourself a nice cup of coffee. Then another. Really, I’m serious! This will perk you up. While perked, get up and DO something! You know, we all require maintenance, just like a car! I think the caffeine jacks up your serotonin levels, so you can get going. There are presciption drugs that can do this, as well. As far as depression goes, at least one major study has shown that exercise is as effective as prescription antidepressants. Anyway, you have to get MOVING. You can’t just sit on your duff and get out of a funk. You’ve got to get up and walk, or run, or swim, or engage in some kind of physical activity. Do you have any pets? They are wonderful for making you feel good! My cat, Guinevere, is always the first to greet me when I come in the door from work! You know, you can have a horrible day at work, and there can be this little cat or dog that will welcome you home as if you were the emperor–or empress–of the galaxy! You also have to feel as if your life counts for something. Want to know something? Some 80 percent of the population feels unfulfilled by their career or work . . . so they engage in church activities or activities as a volunteer with some organization, or they just do things for others on their own. Use your talents for others–and we know you have talents, ’cause everyone does–and reconnect with God, and you will truly feel that life is a gift and is worth living!

The person who spoke about being GRATEFUL hit the nail RIGHT on the head–I promise

If possible, Dunkin Donuts coffee. I swear it has a magic potion in it that suddenly makes life feel All Right.

Chev.jame, your answer is great, as usual.

Chev.jame is really something, isn’t he?! I’m endlessly impressed with his wisdom!!!

I also like what chev.jame put. I’ve been really struggling with some MAJOR life challenges, and have been trying everything to get through it (we’re talking some major depression that I’ve been going through). Hopefully when this year is over and done with, my life will be taking a turn straight upwards.

Coffee is what gets me going in the morning. I have been using the treadmill every day. I have a dog, that I love to see at the end of the day. I also volunteer for alot of things. I’m also on the max dosage of an antidepressant. And I have one main thing that I’m living for - my son.

Without all of this stuff, I would be sunk.

I have 3 more letters to come up with things that I’m grateful for, and then I’m done.

You, too, cattail. You’re always right on the mark–a great mix of common sense and compassion, which is what I think we all need to work toward: balancing the passionate with the pragmatic.

Thank you so much!! :)

You’re welcome. I hope it helps. It still helps me, every time.