You might believe that negative thoughts only impact your mental space. However, the truth is that negative thoughts have the capability to invade every area of life. Here, we look at three major areas affected by negative thoughts, including mental health, physical health, and social health.
Mental Health
Negative thoughts don’t feel good. We all know that. Beyond just making us feel miserable in the moment, though, there are long-term mental health consequences of allowing negative thoughts into our mind. Some of the potential diagnoses that could arise from repeated negativity include:
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Psychosis
Even if the mental health concerns don’t advance to an official diagnosis, you could still experience a number of mental health symptoms due to frequent negative thoughts. Some of these include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Low self-esteem
- Perfectionism
Physical Health
The mind has a lot more power over the body than most people realize. The way you think impacts how healthy your physical body is. Some examples are:
- Increased risk of diagnoses such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure
- Decreased immune system strength
- Healthier weight
- Healthier blood sugar levels
You’ve certainly heard the phrase “mind over matter” at some point in your life. This refers to using the mind to control the body’s physical reactions to external stimuli. You can apply this principal to positive versus negative thinking. When you allow negative thoughts, your physical condition worsens in general.
Social Health
Negative thoughts can destroy any type of relationship. When you have excessive negative thoughts, you tend to ignore positive experiences and characteristics of others. This can also lead to you believing things about the other person that simply aren’t true or making up devastating scenarios in your head. You’ll also find that you’re more sensitive to jokes and other comments in conversation with others. This negativity not only damages your trust and connection with the other person but it also causes you to treat others negatively as well. Some examples of social relationships that could be affected include:
- Romantic partners
- Friends
- Family members
- Coworkers and/or supervisors
- Neighbors
- Teammates and hobby club members
- Classmates
How to Let Go of Negative Thinking
The first step in overcoming negative thoughts is a desire to change your thought patterns. You have to be committed. It will be tough at times but, with the right motivation, you can make it through. Try these tips for overcoming negative thoughts:
- Journal daily and write out your negative thoughts and emotions. Turning them into a physical form prevents them from lingering in your mind.
- Designate a time of day to review negative thoughts. Write down your thoughts when they occur outside this 10-15 minute time frame. This lets you move on quickly throughout your day and process later.
- Replace negative thoughts with positive ones when they occur. For example, instead of beating yourself up for being late, be thankful that your friend is willing to be flexible.
- Consciously dedicate energy toward receiving and giving love and positivity.
- Take care of your physical health. Again, the mind-body connection is a powerful force. Take care of one and the other will improve.
- Use positive affirmations for yourself and others. For example, give yourself praise for even the smallest victories.
- Practice gratitude for the relationships, possessions, and achievements that you have.
- Avoid upsetting media consumption. Incorporate humor and heartwarming media into your daily life.
- Dedicate your negative energy toward something productive when the thoughts occur.
- Practice daily meditation, such as mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation.
Source Links
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2015/08/positive-emotions-your-health
https://www.news-medical.net/health/How-Do-Your-Emotions-Affect-Your-Physical-Health.aspx
https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2020/01/negativity-can-ruin-relationships/604597/
https://www.verywellmind.com/negative-self-talk-and-how-it-affects-us-4161304
