8 ways to deal with negativity
It seems like we are surrounded by negativity
With overwhelming access to information and a constant bombardment of details surrounding the most of us up to the minute of tragedy the likes of suicide. It is easy to get stuck in a negative space. This is not a healthy or helpful place to live.
This is not about acting from a place of denial, It is about learning how to deal with hard things from a healthier perspective, one that is based on facts and wisdom, not on confusion and fear. I know from my own experience of suicide losses I’ve had. So, let’s look at techniques as strategies.
Techniques and Strategies For Freedom and Empowerment
I’ve built these strategies, these techniques and these tools that still allow me to function effectively in the world, they allow me to be a realist, they allow me to be in touch and in connection with what is going on. But these tools and strategies that I'm going to share with you in this blog also allow me to be free. They allow me to think, they allow me to dream, and they allow me to continue to try and make an impact in the world. Common tool I use CBT cognitive behavioural therapy.
I know that each and every one of you read my blogs and watch my YouTube channel. I want to live my purpose in the world and I want to make a difference. I want to make an impact. I want to help you do that. I want to serve you and support you in a way that you're not limited. You're not held back by negativity, but you're powered and empowered to make a difference.
Jay Shetty believes this empowerment starts out with a proper frame of reference. When it comes to the media, it’s helpful to recognize that the media is just looking for what sells.
Given this information, one must be aware that the negative bent exists, but that it’s not the full story. Jay Shetty provides helpful balance from his book, He is simply urging people to take a step back from such a negative and fearful way of thinking.
The Big Eight
I want to share with you eight strategies and techniques to deal with negativity in the news and reduce stress in your life,” Jay Shetty says. First up, feeling, not thinking.
1. Feeling Not Thinking
Focusing on something negative is something that we feel, whereas when we read something positive, it's something that we think. It's something that you know,” Jay Shetty explains.
It is easier to get swept up in emotions in a negative space because we feel negative emotions or experiences much more. It takes more work to feel something positive on an emotional level and not just know it.
To help with this, Shetty encourages practicing gratitude. I highly recommend using a gratitude journal daily if you can at least 3 things you can be grateful about.
Gratitude is allowing you to deeply feel something positive in your life. If you get good news and you don't feel grateful for it, it doesn't really leave a lasting impression in your life. It's so important to deeply process and immerse in those wins and those successes that come into our life, I encourage.
2. Read the Positive, Amplify the Good
So many of us read the good news, and we read the bad news. We share the bad news, but we hold on to the good news,” Jay Shetty claims. It’s so important to expose your mind to good news stories as well, to read about the positive and powerful things that are happening in the world. Because when you do that, it also gives you more hope, belief and faith.
This doesn’t have to be groundbreaking, and the change most likely won’t happen overnight. Choose every day what to focus on and what to share with others.
If you're benefiting from something, if you're growing from something, a podcast, a book, a call, a workshop, a charity, a community, a group of people…whatever it is, share that. Share so that more people can get involved and be a part of that transformation.
3. Be Selective About the Reporting you Consume
Is it necessary?
Is it useful?
Is it helpful to you?
Jay Shetty believes that asking these three questions before consuming information will drastically cut down on the unnecessary noise and negativity.
You will find that when you ask this question, most of the news is not necessarily useful or helpful to you. It's not really making a difference in your personal life, yet we glue to it like it's going to transform our lives, Shetty says. Using those questions as a guide helps cut out the fluff.
4. Don't Be Surprised by Bad News
This doesn't mean you become immune to bad news, that isn't the point. We don't want an apathetic society or community that doesn't care and doesn't feel compassion.
The point is to develop awareness that does not get swept up in feeling and emotion. Don’t get swept up in it, but allow yourself to process it.
5. Don't Judge Before Researching and Reading
Headlines are meant to be enticing, not the entirety. How often is a conclusion drawn from one or two brilliantly crafted sentences? Jay Shetty believes that one of the biggest mistakes we make is believing the headline and not doing further research.
“You can't just make a negative judgment based on something without reading about it, and without researching, Shetty warns. When you do the research, you start expanding your mind. You start to expand your thoughts and your abilities. You start thinking and approaching tasks in different ways.
Going deeper and getting more information helps slow the spread of misinformation.
6. Don't Make a Final Conclusion Without All of the Facts
When your emotions are based on facts, they can't control you, When your emotions are based on fiction, they control you. They control you because now you become a fiction writer and your emotions start painting these vivid pictures of how bad everything is.
7. What's on Your News Feed is Feeding Your Mind
What sets the tone of your day? What is the first information to hit your brain as you wake? Negativity is contagious, I remind you.
Limit your opportunities to see negativity from the first thing in the morning, because guess what? It's like a downward cycle, Once you've seen one negative thing, you spot the next negative thing, you spot the next negative thing and then you're in a negative train.
I urge you to make a conscious effort to focus on the positive when setting the tone for the day. Train the brain to look for the good.
8. Find a Way to Get Your News
I urge you to be intentional about where you get your news.
Follow the right places, listen to the right podcasts, have your feed set up so you only come across the places that you trust and the things that you want, You don't just want to allow yourself to be bombarded from anywhere all the time. You want to make it focused. You want to be exposed to what you choose.
The reason I did this blog is I just don't want any of you to believe that there isn't hope. As I’ve lost to siblings to suicide and know what it is like to suffer from depression. I don't want any of you to believe that we can’t change the world. I don't want any of you to believe that we should all give in, we should just stop trying. I just don't want you to believe that because it's just not true. Humans being activated around purpose and mission is the most powerful thing that can happen, I encourage you. So, if that's the most powerful thing that can happen, that is amazing, right? If the only thing that's happening is all of us are getting more together and unified and working together. Then that's all we need.
Be mindful of what you take in. Stick to facts. Focus on the good. Be the change.
Lori from lifesuccessnz xx
You are welcome to follow me on Pinterest
Comments
Post a Comment