4 methods for kicking negative thinking to the curb

Stuck in a negative thought spiral? Let the Internet come to the rescue.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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While many of us plan to make changes in 2016, it’s worth taking a look at how our attitudes could shape the new year.

If positive thinking is a resolution of yours, you may want to check out this AskReddit thread, where Redditors answered the question, "How do you shake yourselves out of it when your brain goes into a spiral of negativity?"

Most of us have had the regrettable experience of thinking one negative thought that sends us down a rabbit hole of anxiety or depression. In the midst of these downward spirals, climbing out can seem impossible.

But Reddit’s here to help. Here are four ways commenters have successfully beat bad moods:

Engage in a mindfulness exercise

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Get moving

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Take your thoughts with a grain of salt

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Play the 'dumb-excellent game'

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Redditor Lostmylizard and their wife invented a whole game to deal with negative thinking.

When one is in a bad mood, the other asks, “What’s dumb?” and they’ll describe something that’s bumming them out. Then, the partner asks, “What’s excellent?” and the one who’s bummed out will talk about something positive in their life. They repeat this process until everything is off their chest.

“Usually it doesn't take too long before the negative stuff is back in perspective with the good stuff, at least a bit. The dumb stuff is still legitimately dumb, but at least it's not the only thing on their mind,” they wrote. “Okay, I admit it sounds silly, but it works for us.”

Here’s to hoping for fewer black holes of self-deprecation and catastrophizing in 2016. Let this be your year of positive thinking.

 

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