“Il faut rester positif dans nos têtes,” sang Matt Houston in his hit song Positif. We’ve danced to this tune at countless events—birthdays, baptisms, farewell parties, and casual gatherings. Yet, we often forget to truly embrace its message.
Sometimes, we feel optimistic, ready to see the bright side of life. Other times, it seems like everything is falling apart, and no matter what we do, things don’t go as planned.
Problems arise, and when we expect the worst, the worst often manifests with unforeseen consequences. This can lead to a downward spiral, where we feel trapped and unable to come up for air.
Luckily, psychologists have developed strategies to help lift our spirits. These techniques encourage us to view life with more enthusiasm and, as a result, bring back our smiles. So, what are these techniques? Psychologist Marion Thélisson shares her top recommendations.
Write Down Negative Thoughts
We’re all familiar with the gratitude technique, where we jot down things we’re proud of or thankful for in a journal. It’s reminiscent of the American Thanksgiving tradition, except instead of gathering around a turkey in November, we put our thoughts on paper. But sometimes, gratitude feels out of reach, and all we want to do is vent.
In that case, creating a “complaint journal” can be helpful—write down all your negative thoughts. By doing so, you’re symbolically releasing them. Once they’re out of your mind and onto the paper, close the journal and put it away. It becomes, in a way, a “trash can” for your negative thoughts.
Distance Yourself from Negative Thoughts
Negative thoughts can be so consuming that they disrupt our daily lives. It’s crucial to distance ourselves from them by confronting and challenging them. Ask yourself if these thoughts are truly valid or if they’re just fleeting. Consider, for example, the fear of bills or the grief from losing a friend.
Marion Thélisson suggests imagining whether these thoughts will still matter in a year. More often than not, they won’t. If they do, extend the timeline or shift your focus to something you can control. For instance, we can’t change the state of war-torn countries, so we might as well focus on our own well-being.
Take a Walk
Walking, especially when we concentrate on each step, helps release pent-up negative energy. Feeling frustrated? Go for a walk. Overwhelmed with stress? Walk it off. It’s also an effective strategy for clearing negative thoughts.
Focus on the benefits of walking—it’s a symbolic way of leaving those thoughts behind. By physically moving, you may find that your negative thoughts are left behind in the environment where they first emerged. Walking keeps you grounded in the present moment, preventing your mind from wandering back to negativity.
These approaches can help us navigate life’s ups and downs, giving us practical tools to stay positive and resilient.
**Une Psychologue Nous Donne 3 Techniques Pour Arrêter Les Pensées Négatives**
This article first appeared on bibamagazine.fr – Author: Paul Mocka
