Our minds tend to be full of different thoughts, but there is a difference between neutral or supportive thoughts and unproductive thoughts that only lead further into the negative spiral of automatic thoughts.
Here are some questions that may help you to notice your thoughts from the outside, to distinguish them and to start choosing what to do with them:
- Is this idea useful or helpful to me in any way?
- Can this idea be useful, or is my mind just stuck in it?
- Does this thought help me to act meaningfully?
- Is this a repeat of an old story? Have I heard it before? How has it served me so far?
- How does it affect me if I get carried away with this idea?
There are many other techniques to support yourself in not getting into unproductive thoughts. To learn how to manage your thoughts, join the IDARTO Centre for “Skills for Change” or psychological techniques for the video library “Psychologist in your pocket”.