How to deal with negative thoughts?

angelmariya
angelmariya Online Community Member Posts: 14 Listener
in Mental health and wellbeing

At night my mind keeps replaying negative thoughts and it makes it hard to sleep peacefully. It feels exhausting and makes the next day harder at work.

Comments

  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 14,323 Online Community Programme Lead

    Hello @angelmariya

    Is there something or a problem that is playing in your mind during the day? I find that for me, negative evening thoughts are sometimes because I’m avoiding an issue or something that needs addressing.

    I’m sorry you’re experiencing these and they’re leaving you exhausted.

    Do you have any support locally or anyone you can talk to?

    I recently found this page which has some great resources and might be helpful in helping you reframe some of your thoughts:

    https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-wellbeing-tips/self-help-cbt-techniques/reframing-unhelpful-thoughts/

  • JessieJ
    JessieJ Online Community Member Posts: 1,303 Championing

    Know what that is like, @angelmariya. For about 30 years, I've had a mind island. If I can't rest as my mind is throwing a wobbly, I try & take myself off to my island. Where I'm not disabled, it is mine & I can do what I like. No money needed, obviously! So, I can go out in a canoe, waterski, go out in a lovely motorboat, go sailing, fishing. Wander around totally free, any animals I want to see. No government, DWP, morons, warmongers, people, just pure freedom. My suggestion, start building your island.

  • Littlefatfriend
    Littlefatfriend Online Community Member Posts: 422 Trailblazing

    My first suggestion would be to think positive things angelmariya.

    That may read like an oversimplification but that's often quite literally the most effective route. I listen to audiobooks as I go to sleep. Many are also available on YouTube etc.

    My second suggestion would be to talk to an experienced counsellor about whatever you keep replaying. Your GP could probably organise that, or help direct you to someone who can.

    Learning to reframe our memories is often easier than people expect. If we adapt the way we respond to and think about things it can make a world of difference. Counselling can be dramatically powerful stuff.

    Good luck

    😺

  • SmellyBin
    SmellyBin Online Community Member Posts: 382 Empowering

    When thoughts like these are trying to take over when I'm in bed I try to have my mind preoccupied with other things and mostly end up playing mind games. Such as things starting with a p within a theme, like women's names (Patricia Highsmith, Patricia Cornwall, Patricia Kaas) or musicians and bands. That sort of thing.

  • SmellyBin
    SmellyBin Online Community Member Posts: 382 Empowering
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1108832#Comment_1108832

    That sounds lovely, I feel like inviting myself :)

  • JessieJ
    JessieJ Online Community Member Posts: 1,303 Championing

    No problem, @SmellyBin, pull up a boat, there is room for others, vetted of course. 😉 Start building, no planning permission needed. 😁

  • SmellyBin
    SmellyBin Online Community Member Posts: 382 Empowering

    Ha @JessieJ Thanks for allowing me on your lovely island! I'll be bringing my bikini and a book, some classy cocktails, and homemade pizza. I'd love to go for a swim, or just hang around chatting to you while feeling the sand between my toes :)

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