{"id":1144,"date":"2017-05-16T14:24:27","date_gmt":"2017-05-16T08:54:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samvednacare.com\/blog\/?p=1144"},"modified":"2017-05-16T14:24:27","modified_gmt":"2017-05-16T08:54:27","slug":"understanding-the-nature-of-thoughts-and-9-tips-for-keeping-them-positive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samvednacare.com\/blog\/understanding-the-nature-of-thoughts-and-9-tips-for-keeping-them-positive\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding the nature of thoughts and 9 tips for keeping them positive"},"content":{"rendered":"

On 12th<\/sup> May 2017 we organized a workshop on The Art of Positive Thinking. The aim of the workshop was to understand thoughts and their impact on our emotions.<\/p>\n

So, what are thoughts? According to many participants, thoughts are little conversations in our head, are our opinions, they can be difficult to deal with, and many participants also commented on how thoughts seem to just barge into our mind and one should try not think too much.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"IMG_2056\"<\/a>We do not have as much control over our thoughts as we may believe. If I tell you not to think of a monkey, do you think you will find it easy to do so? The very processes of restricting ourselves from thinking can promote thinking.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s interesting to note that our thoughts affect our emotions. In any given situation, we usually blame the situation for making us feel the way we do. However, what intercepts the situation and our emotion is thoughts. By thinking more positively, we can surely improve our mood.<\/p>\n

\"Thoughts\"<\/a>In this light, the thoughts-feelings-behaviour cycle becomes relevant. Our negative thoughts manifest themselves in our behaviour. For example, Lalita calls her daughter and she doesn\u2019t pick up. If Lalita assumes that her daughter did not pick up her phone on purpose to avoid her, then she will start avoiding her daughter, will be aloof and even be cross with her when they do speak. Her daughter will pick up on her changed behaviour, but will not know why her mother is behaving like this. This may strain their relationship.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_2066\"<\/a>Our thoughts are not facts, but we give them that status ever too often. Our thoughts can distort our reality and change our behaviour. We often make negative assumptions about ourselves, our potential, others or the world around us. At such a time we must realise that every thought that comes to our mind is not true factual.<\/p>\n

During the workshop, many participants shared some real life situations that have led us to negative thinking and we all attempted to challenge the negativity in those thoughts.<\/p>\n

\"Thoughts<\/a>To challenge our negative thoughts, we may look at ways to check our thoughts to ensure that we are being rational and not letting negative thoughts take control of our feelings and behaviour.<\/p>\n

The following are some ways we discussed to keep a check on negative thoughts:<\/p>\n

1) Reality testing<\/p>\n