How To Stop Negative Thinking in 7 Simple Steps

Negative thinking can plague us even when things seem to be going well. Negative thinking can become a habit of mind picked up from others, and can often seem a kind of 'insurance policy' to lessen any disappointment felt during any setbacks.

In this video I talk about the 'positives' and negatives of negative thinking, why negative thinking occurs, and I share 7 simple tips you can use to stop negative thoughts.

Key points in this video:
00:00 - Introduction to How to Stop Negative Thinking
3:31 - The most common negative thinking mistake
4:38 - Stop thinking in extremes
6:18 - Stop over-generalizing the negative, and don't minimise the positive
8:06 - Are you mindreading? Here's how to tell
10:22 - Stop forcing your own rules on life
11:34 - Stop making stuff up (and believing it)

All notes and references can be found on the original article here:

If you found this video helpful then please click 'like', and remember to subscribe for more tips like this, and please leave a comment and let me know if you've tried any of the tips in this video.

If you need a gentle help to stop negative thinking and gain a positive attitude, try my self-help download here:

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[naschy]

1) Stop thinking in extremes
2) Stop over-generalizing the negative
3) Don‘t minimize the positive
4) Stop mindreading (very important haha :D)
5) Stop taking all the responsibility (accept your achievements, don’t make yourself small, how much control/ influence do you really have ? etc.)
6) Stop forcing your own rules on life... don’t be so hard on yourself :)
7) Stop making stuff up and believing it !!!

Thank you! :)

[heatherlouise]

Whenever my anxiety gets the best of me, I watch your videos and it soothes my mind. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and calming voice.

[RTBIKER]

My motto is 'think about what you are thinking' if its negative stuff then shut it out of your thoughts. Shout at yourself if you think that helps to kick the bad thoughts away. You CAN change your thoughts around when you are focused on them. Just dont allow yourself the luxury of self pity or negative sloppy ways. It takes a bit of effort to switch yourself around. And it's for your own benefit.

[PropertyVlogsUK]

I am shocked, i always thought i was quite a positive thinker. But i definitely do a lot of these, my expectations are very narrow and rigid. I also have a very vivid imagination! Thanks Mark for the insight.

[kathy]

Thank you . I know what to do when I get the negative thinking. Very helpful useful.

[emilyhops]

This has got to be one of the most helpful videos i've seen. The thinking in shades of grey, and the mind reading tips really cLmed me down. Thank you!

[anabojanovic]

Very well introduced (explained why it is important to adopt a more positive approach of thinking for our physical health and wellbeing), encompassed and elaborated, plus exposed with verve and confidence, this was very useful! I love the use of examples, which resound with all of us, I believe... Quotidian situations which explain it in detail.

[RESMITHcarpentry]

I used to be way too much of a positive thinker and seeing only the best in people around me. It resulted in my putting up with a lot of really poor treatment and staying in situations that have had significant damage to my mental and emotional health.

Now I find myself struggling quite often with knowing when to see the best in a situation, and when to actually walk away because it really isn't a good relationship or environment.

[h.j]

I suffer from repeated negative thinking coming from a difficult social situation at school and university, I find doing anything challenging difficult, including starting a new job, I need to get some guts to support myself through this.

[bernadinelindhorst]

Thank you so much! ❤️ Absolutely love the advice 😁

[dogodivaamorfati]

This video was very helpful to me as I have alot of anxiety, depression, PTSD and a very negative thinker. I don't want to be this way. I am in thearpy and I am on anti-anxiety/depression . I have experienced alot of trauma in the past 3yrs and it has caused PTSD.

[leeannmansfield]

THIS IS ME....ITS BEEN 30 YEARS I THINK LIKE OF EVERYTHING...DONT GO NO WHERE....IM GONNA Dont know....why this happened

[jessepalacios]

"Stop making stuff up and believing it" love it!

[timotimo]

Thanks Mark. You and the rest of your group's work is brilliant. I have received much, much benefit from it. I am one very happy customer. :-)

[sarahstrong]

Thankyou so much. This is something I need to work on. Recognised a lot of what you said. Hadn't realised how negative I tend to be. Not surprising due to the cruelty & violence I suffered as a child but now I can see it, I have the opportunity to change. Awareness Empowers Choices. One of my mantras. When I say it, I see a flash of brilliant lightning lighting up the scene & empowering me by charging up my metaphorical batteries, readying me to take action.

[jaybirdful]

It’s very difficult to change trauma programmed schemas into new and healthier adaptive type thought patterns. It seems there is a default setting on how I perceive myself juxtaposed in this world. “Time may change me but I can’t change time.” This video is dense with good information. Thanks for your wisdom 🙏🏻

[rabarberellum]

“But the thing I wasn’t really knowing, people always help you the way you’re going” From ‘I Am the Blues’ by Memphis Slim.

[antidepressant]

In my defence of negative thinking, I will say this. I feel safe. Life requires less courage. Complaining is one my fave hobbies.
I expect the worst and I'm usually not disappointed. Life can be surprisingly good, because I don't expect it to be.
The world needs negative thinkers. We focus on what could go wrong. Therefore we encourage carefulness and concern. We evaluate. We assess. Some positive thinkers are headed for disaster. Because they haven't planned. Spontaneity is fine but being unprepared is asking for trouble.

[iiorigins]

Hello! Thank you for your videos. I was wondering if you take on new clients?

[rickspalding]

Mine is off the charts, can't I just be hypnotized