The Impact of Negative Thoughts
When I am asked to give a presentation about stress and mental health, I really get some strange reactions when I convey to the audience that stress is self-induced. With the known impact that stress has on the body, who would purposely induce that kind of damage? I agree, people do not purposely induce stress; however, there are reactions to situations that automatically reinforce how the body and mind react to situations. So, it is not the situation that is creating the stress, it is the reaction to the situation.
In today's fast-paced world, mental health and well-being are often influenced by our thoughts and emotions. Negative thoughts can have a deep impact on our conscious health. They can influence our moods, manipulate our behavior, and impact the overall quality of life. It is essential to understand how negative thoughts influence mental health. By doing so, it will provide the opportunity to offset negative thinking by promoting positive well-being and fostering a healthier mindset.
Negative thoughts are typically present in various forms, such as self-criticism, worry, fear, and rumination. When a person consistently engages in negative thinking patterns, it usually leads to heightened stress levels, deep anxiety, and depression – which often triggers the body's stress response, leading to elevated levels of cortisol and adrenaline. This chronic state of negativity, over time, weakens the immune system, disrupts sleep patterns, and contributes to physical health problems, such as hypertension and digestive issues.
Stress and anxiety can also contribute to low self-esteem and a lack of confidence. Constant self-criticism and negative self-talk eventually erode self-esteem and confidence. This generally hinders personal growth, limits opportunities, and creates barriers to achieving goals and aspirations.
Is this starting to resonate with someone you know?
Over time, the decline of mental health conditions and negative thoughts can aggravate symptoms of existing mental health conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Individuals with these conditions may experience a cycle of negative thinking that reinforces feelings of hopelessness and despair.
If that’s not enough, all of this, predictably, interferes with relationships. Healthy boundaries become brittle. Persistent negativity leads to conflict, resentment, and isolation in personal, as well as professional, relationships.
The result is a cyclic change in behavior. Negative thoughts can enhance maladaptive behaviors, such as avoidance, substance abuse, overeating, or excessive time on electronics. These behaviors usually generate distractions such as, excessive alcohol consumption, abuse of drugs, increase porn usage, and inaccessibility – ultimately, and chronically, impairing mental health.
Just because it is a negative thought…does not mean you have to believe it.
To promote conscious health and well-being, it is important to cultivate an awareness of negative thought patterns and develop a means to counter negative thinking with positive input. Re-phrase it.
Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help increase self-awareness and reduce the impact of negative thoughts. These also encourage non-judgmental awareness of thoughts and emotions, and it develops a sense of acceptance and resiliency. However, while mindfulness and meditation are an excellent start and very helpful, there is something else to consider.
Interestingly, the culprit to negative thinking does not reside in the conscious part of the mind - but belongs to the subconscious. The subconscious collects data for future reference. If the negative information is repeated enough and reinforced, the subconscious will store it and that information will be the default response when things go awry. As much as a person wants to have a positive outlook, the negative response will over-rule the positive desire. This is because when there is a conflict between the conscious mind and the subconscious mind, the subconscious mind always wins. This is the reason The Virtual Counseling Center (VCC) incorporates Subconscious Counseling as a therapeutic modality. It can quickly replace the negative default system with positive information – thus establishing a positive default. For example, have you ever fought a craving for a certain food…but eventually consume it? That’s the subconscious over-ruling the conscious. The subconscious is very patient and will await the opportunity to remind you that you feel better after having a thick, chewy, warm chocolate-chip cookie. 😊
In conclusion, negative thoughts can significantly impact our conscious health and overall well-being without us being aware of the intrusion. By cultivating mindfulness, challenging negative beliefs, and seeking appropriate support, individuals can develop healthier thought patterns and improve their mental resilience. Embracing positivity and self-compassion is key to nurturing a balanced mindset and promoting conscious health in all aspects of life.
Contact a VCC counselor to learn more about Subconscious Counseling at www.TheVirtualCounselingCenter.com
