Stopping Disempowering Thoughts

Stopping Disempowering Thoughts - Ep22 - Show Notes- We all are affected by disempowering thoughts.- For diagnosed or serious psychological conditions such as depression, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), or other chronic psychological issues consult an appropriate licensed medical professional.- The suggestions I’m sharing are for informational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical or psychological condition. Always consult an appropriate licensed medical practitioner for any issue of concern. Suggestion 1: Avoid Fighting or Resisting Disempowering Thoughts.Fighting or resisting disempowering thoughts by telling yourself, “Don’t think about this” or similar reactive responses will likely result in those unwanted thoughts getting stronger and more frequent. - Mind exercise: Think of a dancing elephant wearing a blue tutu.- Rather than resist a disempowering thought, relax into the thought and simple notice it. Become an unattached observer and allow the thought to be as it is. Say to yourself, “”That’s a thought”, and then allow the thought to dissolve. - Thoughts emerge, peak, and fade in preparation for yet another thought waiting in the wings. When you take a position as a mindful observer with no judgement about the thought, you create conditions for the thought to pass through the normal cycle quickly. - This approach is a key foundational practice in what’s called mindfulness. Suggestion 2: Link the disempowering thought to an empowering thought and counteract the disempowering thought.- Your mind can’t hold two competing thoughts at one time.- Use questions and realities that are opposite of the underlying assumptions of disempowering thoughts.- Suggestion 3: Do Something You Enjoy- In summary, the three ways to let go of disempowering thoughts we covered in this episode are:First, avoid fighting or resisting disempowering thoughts. Observe them without judgement. Assume a mindset of curiosity. Say in mind or out loud, “That’s a thought”. Allow the thought to emerge, peak, and dissolve.Second, link the disempowering thought to an empowering thought. Challenge the premise of the disempowering thought with simple questions to undermine the validity of the disempowering thought.Third, get moving and do something you enjoy.- Remember, your thoughts - empowering and disempowering - will come and go. - One of my most cherished truths I voice within mind and out loud frequently is, “This too shall pass”.- Two requests as we wrap up: Subscribe at www.MindOverStress.us; and, share this episode with others directly or on social media.Host: Stephen Carter, CEO of Stress Solutions, LLC | www.EFT-MD.com | Email: [email protected] for this podcast: www.MindOverStress.us.— Key words: disempowering thoughts, unwanted thoughts, painful thoughts, depression, OCD, stress, anxiety, Microphone: Marantz Professional MM-2000U