We often find it difficult to think positively when we believe everything around us seems to be going wrong. Even when we try to think positively as things do not go to plan, if we look back it probably was not as bad as we thought it was at the time.
Positive statements encourage us and help us to cope during stressful times. We can stop, breathe and say to ourselves, ‘I can do this’. “I can learn from this and next time will be easier” or say to yourself “I’ve done this before and I can do it again”. “My negative thoughts are not helpful, I no longer have to feel like this”. “This feeling is only temporary and it will pass”.
We also discussed Thought Balancing, where you take your unhelpful thoughts that can make you feel low or worried and give them an alternative thought. For example, “I get so anxious giving a presentation” changes to, “It’s okay, I’ve done this before , so I can do it again”. Or “I have far too much work to do” changes to “I could let my boss know or get some help from someone, which will make things easier”.
