What is important to remember is that it is a matter of changing your way of thinking. That is no easy task, but it is not impossible. It requires effort. The brain can be rewired. I know this because I have done it, for myself and for two of my patients, and it did not involve hypnosis. One of the patients was dealing with Phantom Limb Pain.
Humans are an emotional species. Our subconscious mind directs over 80% of the activities of our daily lives. The subconscious mind runs on emotions, not logic. Depression and anxiety are emotions. The subconscious mind controls our body. It heals us, pumps our blood, and digests our food without our need to think about it. So it makes sense that our emotions can affect our body and vice versa. As Charlotte mentioned, there can be biological causes for anxiety and depression that manifest as emotion, and it is important to locate those causes and remedy them.
But our mindset, our attitude, can be changed by overriding negative thinking with positive thinking. Changing our thinking is one of the most difficult things to do. In 1910, Wallace Wattles wrote:
"There is no labor from which most people shrink as they do from that of sustained and consecutive thought; it is the hardest work in the world." ~ The Science of Getting Rich
We are accustomed to allowing our emotions to govern our thinking. When we feel bad, we think about how we feel, which perpetuates the cycle. This can lead to the proverbial "downward spiral", if we allow it.
To change our thinking, we must make a conscious effort to do so, using logic to override emotion. This is what grounding tools do. They force you to stop being immersed in the feeling and focus on the here and now in reality. It is taking a break from the emotion so it can be processed healthily without giving it total control over our lives.
In the quote above, Mr. Wattles mentioned "sustained and consecutive thought". This is what is needed. By refusing to acknowledge negative thoughts and focusing on positive thoughts, we begin to establish a new habit, a new way of thinking. Our brains begin to change their wiring and how they function. Periodic thoughts or occasionally reciting a mantra will not work. It must be sustained and consecutive.
When something disappointing happens, look for something good to come out of it. Problems are not problems; they are puzzles that need a solution. If you cannot find any good in a given event, stop and really take a good look at it. Did it physically injure you, or did it cause an emotional response? If it is an emotion, you can choose how you wish to feel about it. It takes just as much effort to feel happy as it does to feel sad. Choose happiness.
Now, I have a challenge for anyone who doubts what I am saying here. Try this for 30 days.
Since all you are doing is changing your thinking, no one will know what you are up to.
You must refuse to acknowledge any negative thoughts and immediately correct them with a positive thought. Not just most of the time. Every time and immediately. Be aware of what you are thinking.
Life is not all unicorns and butterflies. Things will happen that will upset you. Stop and think of something positive about it, no matter how small.
"I just smashed my little toe on that piece of furniture, and the pain is awful!" ---> "I now know where that furniture is. Maybe I should move it a little."
If the TV News is depressing you, turn it off. At least you won't have to sit through all those boring prescription drug commercials.
Is the daily grind at work getting to you? Make a game out of it. Games are fun to play. Make up some rules that will help you get through the day in a positive way. Set a goal for how many customers you can help or how many units of production you can achieve each day. And when an issue arises, remember that it is just a game... and you are going to get paid to play it!
The key is to start thinking about ways that you can control your thinking. My neighbors thought I was crazy because if something bad happened, I would say,
"Thank you! And may I have another?"
The young lady who smashed into the side of my truck was surprised that I was not angry. No one was hurt, we have insurance, so it's all good.
Play this game for 30 days. What you receive from it will depend on how well you commit to it. Those who do not put in the effort will not see real results. Sustained and consecutive thought. Every minute of every day.
What blood type are you?
B POSITIVE!
