As with all content on this site, these ideas are meant for personal development and wellness and not intended to be a substitute for getting professional guidance and help.
2021 update: Now, rather than talking about “killing ANTS” (Dr. Amen’s ANTs = automatic negative thoughts) or “squashing” thoughts, I recommend the approached that are aligned with love AND are backed by gobs and gobs of science.
When you “squash” thoughts, kill the ants, are you achieving inner harmony, or are you helpless to an internal game of whack-a-mole? Can I interest you in inner harmony instead?
Tip 1: IFS
Rather than a mono-mind view, IFS (like other models) understands the multiplicity of mind. We have different parts that can take the seat of consciousness in our mind. Check out this post: EGO’s ARE THE HELPERS. Parts always have the best of intentions. The outcomes sometimes… not so much.
From the align with the 1 truth of love and light perspective (and this is me, Jessika adding my 2 cents) parts have taken on particular roles to “help” the system. In doing so, they are now imprinted with a burden — this role that they think is helping you based on your past. So now we have something that is imprinted/unaligned from the 1 true frequency of love and light. Answer: Love your parts. The 6 F’s can help you do this. Parts can unburden, get realigned (my words), take on new, more productive roles, and be part of an inner family that is harmonious, and led by Self and with lots of Self Energy in the system.
Check out this post on Michal Pasterski’s site for a nice write up on IFS.
Tip 2: Havening Touch
Learn about Havening Touch:
Try it!
Tip 3: Understand the 3 Main Physiological States and Where You are At
The physiological state that our nervous system (before we can even perceive what’s up) bumps us into precedes the story that we have about the world. It’s going to affect what parts pop up too. If your story about the world is one from YELLOW or RED, then these are not going to be good stories… or good thoughts. If you are in ever-stressed mode (YELLOW) focus on wellness — all 8 dimensions of wellness. If you are in YELLOW or RED all the time, get professional help/guidance.
In short the world is an unsafe crappy place when we’re in yellow, and it’s an isolating, unsafe, hopeless place when we are in RED.
Note that green/yellow/red is based on polyvagal theory and you can see more of my posts on this topic here. You can also read a nice article on cultivating resilience here.