How Do You Quiet The Nag In Your Head?

[deecee 2]

Like many, I struggle sometimes with negative thoughts and self-talk. What are your favorite tricks to still the nag in your head?

[shaun 6]

I think most people have negative thoughts from time to time. I used to be terrible for thinking negatively, but I have learned to control my thoughts and banish the negative thoughts from my mind. There are many ways you can do this, once you become aware of your negative thoughts (sometimes we are not aware, it seems automatic) tell yourself to stop and replace the negative thought with a positive one. Keeping yourself occupied is another way of quelling negative thoughts.

[char2011 1]

I tend to get negative thoughts quite alot which is not really a good thing. To silence them I usually do the opposite of then and this makes things turn out better than listening to the thoughts.

[sphinx 0]

I imagine myself as playing the role of a defence barrister with the negative thoughts as the prosecution. The thought says "you are lazy" I defend with a list of what I have achieved. The thought says "you are ugly", I defend with always being chatted up. The thought says "you are stupid" I defend with what I have learned. I treat it as a high pressure court appearance with me as the star defender - which also serves as positive reinforcement.

[deecee 2]

I imagine myself as playing the role of a defence barrister with the negative thoughts as the prosecution. The thought says "you are lazy" I defend with a list of what I have achieved. The thought says "you are ugly", I defend with always being chatted up. The thought says "you are stupid" I defend with what I have learned. I treat it as a high pressure court appearance with me as the star defender - which also serves as positive reinforcement.

I love this idea! I do try to stop when I notice I am berating myself, but it is a deeply ingrained behavior. I would never be as mean to anyone else as I am to me.

I'll have to try the Perry Mason routine. Thanks for the laugh!

[sphinx 0]

My pleasure. Sometimes the best thing to hang on to is a sense of humour.

[kinser 3]

Like many, I struggle sometimes with negative thoughts and self-talk. What are your favorite tricks to still the nag in your head?

Oooo, this is a perfect topic for me now. I've been having a lot of negative talk going on in my head lately, and it can get exhausting The best thing I have found to do to combat it is to get involved in something routine and physical - I usually start cleaning something. That sort of helps break the cycle of racing, negative thoughts. Get busy and get things accomplished - you'll feel better for the break of not mentally harping on yourself, and you'll feel good that something has physically been accomplished (like a clean house). The old adage of "get out of your head" - that's the idea.

[Cattycrunch 0]

Oooo, this is a perfect topic for me now. I've been having a lot of negative talk going on in my head lately, and it can get exhausting The best thing I have found to do to combat it is to get involved in something routine and physical - I usually start cleaning something. That sort of helps break the cycle of racing, negative thoughts. Get busy and get things accomplished - you'll feel better for the break of not mentally harping on yourself, and you'll feel good that something has physically been accomplished (like a clean house). The old adage of "get out of your head" - that's the idea.

Yeah, see, this is one of the problems I have with the negative thoughts. Very often I have to occupy myself with other activities like laundry, cleaning something, etc., and although this stuff does need doing, having to resort to doing these things so often gets in the way of actually accomplishing the things I really need time to do. And therein lies the vicious cycle: I have negative thoughts about not getting any real work done or making any real accomplishments, and cannot get any real work done because of the perpetuation of these thoughts, and can only get rid of them by doing other things that distract me from them, thereby adding to the problem in the first place.

[Jailynnsgrandma 0]

To quiet my head I usually take a walk, read, clean or find someone to talk to me. If someone starts talking to me and I can get into the conversation, it does a lot to quiet my head. I have noticed that on days when I am busy, it is easier for me to stay calm and to banish those thoughts.

[Maverickhope 0]

Several greta ideas are mentioned here. I also like to post little notes or jokes around the house so on the days when I am blue they are right there staring at me. Do you know how hard it is not to smile when you read the word? To see something that inspires me written is usually enough to at least derail the negative thought for a few mintutes. A few minutes is all I need sometimes. Other days it may not phase me, but it is worth it for the slightly blue days when I feel worthless. I am luck in that I have a fairly strong view of myself I know I am smart, I know I am cute, but like everyone when those nagging thoughts of negative things raises its ugly head it can be difficult to quilch. Another thought is the colors you surround yourself with. What color are your home rooms painted? I am not saying paint daisies on the wall, but hey if that works do it. Colors around you can impact your mood and feelings.

[Prometheus 1]

The best I find is to give it more negative self-talk. I listen to the nag and try to worsen it even more. The reason for this is that I am demonstrating control. Control becomes power and it means that I have power. Then, I can control it even more by empowering myself and turning the nagging completely around. That way, it turns into empowering self-talk and I overdo it with the positivity and love that I give myself.

[Prometheus 1]

Yeah, see, this is one of the problems I have with the negative thoughts. Very often I have to occupy myself with other activities like laundry, cleaning something, etc., and although this stuff does need doing, having to resort to doing these things so often gets in the way of actually accomplishing the things I really need time to do. And therein lies the vicious cycle: I have negative thoughts about not getting any real work done or making any real accomplishments, and cannot get any real work done because of the perpetuation of these thoughts, and can only get rid of them by doing other things that distract me from them, thereby adding to the problem in the first place.

That's not a bad idea. Distracting the nagging is a good way to combat it. It serves to neutralize it before it worsens. But, the best way would be a targeted approach, in which to field the combatant head-on. Only in that way, you can muffle it for good, and not push it out of the way temporarily.

[Prometheus 1]

Oooo, this is a perfect topic for me now. I've been having a lot of negative talk going on in my head lately, and it can get exhausting The best thing I have found to do to combat it is to get involved in something routine and physical - I usually start cleaning something. That sort of helps break the cycle of racing, negative thoughts. Get busy and get things accomplished - you'll feel better for the break of not mentally harping on yourself, and you'll feel good that something has physically been accomplished (like a clean house). The old adage of "get out of your head" - that's the idea.

I like this. The physical activity part is very useful. I find that my focus and attention can be totally shifted to the physical activity that I am engaged in. That way, nothing else can occupy my mind. At times, the more physical strength required, the greater this effect and the more useful it becomes. This may be by doing sports or similar activity to doing chores around the home.

[Twinks* 16]

I turn on the tv or divert my attention to something I enjoy.

[tajnz 0]

Don't worry too much. It's partly human nature to have an abundance of negative thoughts running through your head. I know I often do.

I think a great idea is to write a long list of things you like about yourself as well as some of your accomplishments over the years. Then tuck the list away until you're feeling blue. Sometimes we need a little self encouragement and a reminder of how special we are.

Another idea is to go for a run as the endorphins normally perk up your mood. I know for some people with anxiety issues however that they don't like going out for runs where people can see them. So just choose methods that work best for you.

I've also read on this forum about one member who tries to think of things she's thankful for. So perhaps you can't get rid of negative thoughts but you can choose to replace them with healthier, happy ones.