Did you know that on an average day we have between 60 & 70 thousand thoughts or self talk conversations in our heads? Thoughts are so powerful and have a direct impact on how we feel and the way we behave. Our Registered Psychologist Olivia Dangas gives us an opportunity to learn more about Thoughts. Read her article below 🙂
Thoughts are not Facts!
Our thoughts play a vital role in how we feel and ultimately, how we behave. Unfortunately, our thoughts are not always helpful or valid. These unhelpful and untrue thoughts can contribute to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, to name a few.
Negative thoughts lose their power when we challenge them and when we remember that just because we think a thought does not mean that it is true. Thoughts are not facts!
To start, notice when troubling thoughts begin; pay attention to the physical sensations in your body. Ask yourself a few of the following thought challenging questions. Keep a list in your phone so that you have them with you whenever the negative thoughts hit! You can mentally ask/answer these questions, go through them out loud with a trusted support person, or write down the answers in a journal or notebook.
With practice and consistency, you’ll change the way you think, feel, and respond to stressful situations.
· What is the actual evidence that this thought is true/not true?
· What are the odds of this really happening? Am I confusing possibility with certainty?
· Have I confused a thought with a fact?
· What would a friend say about my thought?
· Are there any other ways that I could look at this situation?
· What is the best thing that could happen?
· What can I do that will help me solve the problem?
Thank you so much, Olivia. This is really great information.
Olivia would love to work with you. She works with Adults and Youth 13+.
Book your appointment with OLIVIA, here.
Cheers to managing our thoughts for our benefit,
Penney