Wellbeing Wednesday - Challenging negative thoughts

WELLBEING WEDNESDAY | Negative thoughts

Negative thoughts can contribute to problems such as social anxiety, depression, stress, and low self-esteem. The key to changing your negative thoughts is to understand how you think, then use strategies to change these thoughts or make them have less of an effect.

Five reflective questions to challenge negative thoughts:

• Is this thought based on facts or assumptions?

• What evidence supports or contradicts this thought?

• Is this thought helpful or harmful?

• Am I jumping to conclusions?

• What advice would I give a friend in this situation?

Challenging negative thoughts takes practice. Be patient with yourself, and don’t hesitate to seek support.