Negativity is all around us. It can come in the form of gloomy news, obnoxious social media posts and people we interact with on a daily basis.
If you’re regularly bogged down by negative thoughts, a negativity fast may be just what the doctor ordered.
The Science of Negative Thinking
Neurons (brain cells) that fire together, wire together. The more a certain pathway in your brain is activated (by a thought, for example), the stronger the connections among neurons along that pathway become, and the easier it is for your brain to choose that pathway in the future. That’s how everyday mental habits are created and maintained.
What Is a Negativity Fast?
A negativity fast is a period of time during which you actively tune out negative stimuli and thoughts in order to reset and rewire your mind for positivity.
Benefits of Negativity Fasts
Negativity fasts help to reduce stress and anxiety, lift our mood, improve our relationships and cultivate overall well-being. By prioritizing positive experiences, we become more relaxed, optimistic and grateful.
How To Do a Negativity Fast: 6 Tips
Negativity fasting involves reducing negativity in your life by catching and stopping yourself when you start to spiral into a negative thought loop and replacing negativity with positivity. Here are some tips to help you do that.
1. Identify Sources of Negativity in Your Life
For example: habits, news stories or topics, interactions on social media, and people.
2. Create a Plan to Avoid Negativity
Unsubscribe from news outlets that dwell on infuriating or depressing news, unfollow negative people and pages on social media, avoid gossip, limit your interactions with toxic people, minimize your complaining and focus on being grateful.
3. Focus on Positive Experiences
Seek positive news, social interactions and experiences. Spend time doing things that bring you joy and help you feel calm.
4. Replace Negative Self-Talk With Positive Self-Talk
Be aware of what you’re thinking about. Each time your brain gets stuck on negativity, interrupt it with positive thoughts. For example, if you start beating yourself up for making a mistake, tell yourself something like, “I did my best. I’ll do better next time.”
5. Be Grateful
You can’t be thankful and negative at the same time. Gratitude alters our perspective and challenges negative thoughts. In other words, count your blessings.
6. Practice Meditation or Mindfulness
Distance yourself from negative influences by practicing meditation daily. Focus on your breath and on your five senses. As thoughts surface, don’t engage them. Consider them as clouds in the sky–let them drift.
Negativity fasting is a great way to rewire your brain for positivity. You have nothing to lose and much to gain, so give it a try!
