The present COVID crisis has forced us to take a new look at ourselves and our surroundings. There have been several events that have caused us to think or perceive in ways that may have hampered our ability to maintain good physical and mental health. The current state of frequent lockdowns and relaxations has instilled in us a deep sense of insecurity, which has led us to develop a negative mind pattern.
Our main response to any stimuli that can assist us to prepare for any misfortune that might hit us is to see a scenario from a negative perspective. It's natural to have negative ideas now and then because we can't think positively all of the time. We tend to take the second half of the statement, "Hope for the best but prepare for the worse," extremely seriously, and it has become a pattern for all of our ideas. Having to prepare for the worse all of the time has a very draining impact on both our bodies and minds.
Several environmental and societal variables may have contributed to our development of a negative mind pattern. We tend to overlook these elements, which might lead to major self-esteem issues in the future. Blaming oneself for one's predicament might sap one's faith in one's self-worth. Negative thought patterns make it difficult to voice our problems, which leads to negative emotional expressions and anger directed toward others who aren't involved in our circumstances, resulting in strained relationships.
Constantly considering the consequences and anticipating a negative outcome puts us in a position where we over-analyze our ideas, resulting in a pessimistic mentality that prevents us from seeing the positive side of the issue. The negative consequences of the aforementioned situations have been documented in certain mental & physiological investigations.
The physiological consequences of having persistent negative thoughts include:
- Severe headache
- Indigestion
- Blood pressure that is too high
- Unbalanced hormones
The following are psychological repercussions with impossibly severe effects:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Concerns about one's worth
- Problems with behavior
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by persistent concern.
- Anxiety attacks
- Use of substances
Now that we've seen the consequences of harmful negative thinking, it's more important than ever to be able to deal with it properly to maintain general good mental health.
Resist your beliefs and rise above them.
It's logical that our minds automatically go toward the worst-case scenario. As a result, we must begin to practice specific behaviors that allow us to focus our attention on something enjoyable rather than on our thoughts. Invent a new version of the freeze and run game, in which you freeze a bad idea, shift your focus, and do something that makes you happy.
Recognize it and let it go!
Accept the circumstance that has occurred, whether it is unpleasant or beneficial. It is only after accepting the situation that one may begin to work on letting it go. Consider whether or not the conditions are under your control. If they are, we may attempt to improve the situation; if they are not, we can learn to let go by simply believing that no matter what we do, its regulation is beyond our control.