Say No to Stressful Thoughts

When negative thoughts or worries stand in the way of feeling good, a technique called thought stopping is an effective way to eradicate them. The trick is to recognize negative thoughts, then reduce their impact. Here’s what to do:

1. Isolate the stressful thought.
2. Close your eyes and focus on it briefly.
3. Count to three.
4. Imagine a stop sign, a flashing red light, or the word “stop” in bold letters.
5. If the thought’s still present, repeat steps 3 to 5.

You can use this technique anytime you find yourself obsessed with negative thoughts.

Used with permission from A Year of Health Hints by Don R Powell, PHD and the American Institute for Preventive Medicine, copyright 2010. www.healthylife.com