First, fear disengages our brains from thinking and does not have purpose in perceived danger. We need to think. I always tell my students and clients, "Don't let your thoughts become an emotion you don't want to have". Our emotions are 100% rooted in our thoughts.
The good news is that if we cannot control our circumstances, we can control our thoughts. However, it does go through perception and our personal perceptions are created by what we have experienced and learned in our lives. Your perceptions might be stuck on "negative" and your perceptions need to be adjusted.
To change your emotions, you need to change your mindset. You need to adjust your perspective and change your thoughts.
Try it...and be intentional about what you want to think about.
It may feel weird at first but make yourself change your thoughts and perspective and see if your emotions do not change. If it is hard to do, make a list of the things you want to think about (positive) and start there. We do not ignore what is happening in our lives and if we cannot change the circumstances we can change how we feel about them.
Our emotions are contagious and in these close quarters of confinement, spread the good stuff!
Michele Fry MS, LPC
Therapist, Hope Behavioral Health
Comments