

**Negative thoughts can rob us of sleep and lead us down the dark paths of our egos. But how do we get rid of them?**

Once they creep in, it can be hard to get rid of them. Like little vampires, they bite down and suck the energy out of our bodies: Negative thoughts. But with our little toolbox, we can send them back where they came from. The first step on the path to a healthier mindset: recognizing what's what.

## Negative thoughts: How to recognize them.

In order to let go of negative thoughts, we first need to become aware of what's going on. Because the good thing about negative thoughts is that we are not at their mercy. Even though it may feel that way sometimes. Enclosed is a little mnemonic that you'd better memorize, because it's the first step on the way to recovery.

> You are not your thoughts! 

Thoughts are our companions, but we are much more than just our thoughts. They may be a part of us, but they are not all that we are. You may cling to them or they may go round and round.

But they are only temporary. They are not a permanent part of our personality, nor are they always true. On the contrary. Often our thoughts are just fantasies that have little or nothing to do with reality. They are just floating around. This also means: You can catch your thoughts when they are flying around. It's best to observe them first.

## Capturing and taming thoughts made easy

After you've looked at your negative thoughts for a while, it's time to take a step back. Maybe find a quiet place where you can relax. Take a deep breath, close your eyes and just breathe. Try to focus on the moment. Neither the past nor the future is important now. But only what is now.

And then look at them again, these thoughts: What do they revolve around? Is there a particular theme around which they revolve?

When you are ready, it is time to empathize and explore these thoughts. Now ask yourself: What feeling do they convey? Is there perhaps sadness, anger or fear behind them? Try to really "feel into" them and ask yourself: Where do you feel this feeling? Is it perhaps in your chest, in your neck or in your stomach? How does it feel? What happens to your body when you focus on these feelings?

Even though it's difficult and probably scary: the best thing to do now is to allow the feelings to happen. This is the only way to find out what is behind your negative thoughts. Concentrate on the spot in your body and feel inside while you take 10 deep breaths in and out. Then you can mentally move away from the spot again.

The idea behind this is to give some form to the indeterminate. So it becomes less threatening. Once you have identified and found the thoughts and the feelings that go with them, you may now let them move on.

## Negative thoughts and how to let them go

Becoming aware, noticing and accepting negative thoughts is already an important step in not letting them consume you. But the most important thing is to somehow get them out of you. Here, it can help to banish them to a piece of paper.

For example, if they are about a particular person, you could write a letter to that person. Let your thoughts and emotions run free - you don't have to send the letter. You can also do this with a situation you might be afraid of. Write down what would happen if this situation, perhaps a job interview, went wrong. What would happen then? You'll see: It's probably not as bad as you make it out to be. Now you can try it the other way around: What would the situation look like if everything went well?

Now look at what you have written. Read the letter aloud and imagine you are in the same room or situation as the person the letter is about. When you're done, burn the letter or delete it - depending on where you wrote it.

Another way to deal with negative thoughts is to package them artistically. Maybe you can turn them into a poem or a song, or maybe you paint them on a piece of paper. Find your form of lending them expression!

## Accept instead of suppress

A mindful approach to negative thoughts can also help you break out of the spiral. This means first perceiving them as they are. But instead of holding on to them, you can let them move on. And without judging them in the process. That means: Don't get angry that they are there. It means accepting them.

Because in the end, they are a part of you. And there is also a reason why they are there. It's quite possible that your body or your psyche wants to draw your attention to something. Maybe you'll find out what it is. 

*You're plagued by negative thoughts, but you just can't get out of the circle no matter what you do? Let's talk about it! Book a 30-minute trial session with one of our Dearest coaches!*

Negative thoughts can rob us of sleep and cloud our minds, increasing depression. How can we let go of them? 

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Let go of negative thoughts - Get out of the spiral