From giving an important presentation at work to attending a party by yourself, there are countless situations that can be impacted by negative thoughts.
Whether or not you have a diagnosed panic disorder, it's easy to get distracted by negativity and fears that can lead to a downward spiral of emotions. In order to move forward, it's important to swap negativity with rational, positive thoughts.
This shift can come to you more easily and automatically with practice, eventually shaping new thinking habits and strides toward recovery. Here are some ways to use positive affirmations to manage stress, particularly when dealing with anxiety at the same time.
1) Identify and Stop Negative Thoughts -
First, learn to identify negative thoughts so you can nix the negativity as soon as it enters your mind. Remind yourself that others will likely be arriving alone, that people are looking forward to seeing you, and that you will probably have a good time. These thoughts can help put you in a better frame of mind.
2) Use Positive Affirmations -
You may find it helpful to learn positive affirmations ahead of time so you're prepared when triggering situations occur. Consider the following options for common scenarios. When faced with a situation that generates fear, such as traveling or meeting new people, try repeating positive affirmations that acknowledge your negative thoughts or emotions and let them go.
3) Remain Realistic -
Sometimes positive thinking can be taken too far, so it's important to remain grounded. When positive affirmations become unrealistic, they can actually trigger more anxiety as your subconscious mind notes that the ideas aren't realistic. You can find yourself more stressed if you start convincing yourself that you can do things you're not prepared for, and the reality of failure hits hard.
Notice that the examples given above focus on realistic and true statements that are also positive. These include what you will gain, what you have accomplished in the past, and what you will realistically achieve. Affirmations can help strengthen self-worth by boosting both your positive opinion of yourself and your confidence in your ability to achieve your goals. They can also help counter the feelings of panic, stress, and self-doubt that often accompany anxiety. When anxious thoughts overwhelm you and make it difficult to focus on more positive possibilities, affirmations can help you take back control and begin altering these thought patterns.