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Psychologist’s tips to stop obsessing over negative thoughts in less than 15 minutes
Unlike positive thoughts that inspire us to be better individuals, negative thinking can be detrimental to mental and physical health.
Studies have shown that mindfulness is key to a happy and healthy life, and 10 minutes of your day is all it takes. A psychologist swears by another technique that can stop you from spiraling when negative thoughts take over.
How to stop overthinking in less than 15 minutes
Certain life experiences can trigger negative thoughts we can’t stop obsessing over. Whether you’ve lost your job or ended a romantic relationship, the aftermath of such events is never pleasant and it’s easy to fall into a gloomy spell.
Repetitive negative thinking (RNT), is a psychological term used to describe the process of overthinking about negative experiences, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.
Licensed psychologist, Nevern Subermoney, shares two techniques that can help you snap out of negative thinking, without letting it affect the quality of your life.
- Worry Timer – Set a timer for 10 to 15 minutes to worry or obsessively think about whatever is bothering you. The therapist has seen his clients get “bored” of repetitive thoughts within a few minutes.
- Name it – He recommends naming obsessive thinking “repetitive negative thinking”, which allows you to distance from it and move on with your life, without deeply associating yourself with negative thoughts.
Nevern Subermoney is a registered clinical psychologist from Johannesburg, South Africa. He holds an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Johannesburg.
Simple technique to improve your mental health
A single negative thought could overwhelm you and bring your life to a halt if you fail to take control of it.
Mental Health Counselor Jeffrey, a certified psychologist from Florida, says you can stop yourself from spiraling by tricking your mind.
He suggests being conscious of that one thought taking over your mind by telling yourself: My mind is overgeneralizing right now just because I am having a bad moment. It doesnt mean that I have to have a bad day.
By telling yourself that your “silly mind” is overgeneralizing a minor issue, you’re able to deal with negative thoughts more healthily without letting them affect you.
