Dealing with Negativity

There are a number of different techniques to deal with negativity. It takes time before you find the right response to suit a specific situation. The more patient you are with yourself, the better. One day you may need tears, the next day it’s a matter of patient waiting or talking to your inner self. Here are some methods of dealing with negativity to add to your repertoire:

Patient waiting. Notice your negative reaction and watch it for a moment. Be attentive to your feelings as they are, without judging or forcing them to change. This response is quiet, but it isn’t passive. You are removing the shock value of the moment, softening the feeling so that you don’t act on it impulsively or push it away. You are letting it dissipate naturally, at its own pace. You are also practicing detachment.
Talk out the problem. Any negative experience in the mind is part of yourself. It’s neither alien nor evil. Try talking to your fear or hostility. Ask to know what it means. Find out why it chose to show itself at this particular moment.
Ask the underlying energy to leave. Not all negativity wants to stick around. We are all aware of passing moods and sudden flashes of emotion that soon subside. Ask the negative energy to leave, but first give it a chance to say what it has to say.
Summon help and assistance. Your mind has countless levels. At higher levels, you possess much more control and authority than you realize. Learning to trust in aspects of your higher self that you can’t see is important. Ask for help in removing unwanted negative energy. Some people address their angels and guides; others pray to God; still others make a request to the higher self directly. Depending on your own beliefs, don’t hesitate to say that you are feeling overwhelmed and need help.
Physical responses. Turn to the wisdom of the body. Although the mind always wants to rush in and take charge, life is a cooperative venture between mind and body. As some body workers like to say, there are issues in the tissues. So let your body do what it wants in order to release the grip of a negative experience. This can be physical, or even toning, which means humming or singing at certain pitch and then letting the body carry the tone up or down.

Adapted from The Third Jesus, by Deepak Chopra (Harmony Books, 2008).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Rhonda N.

9:44PM PST on Dec 28, 2010

Perfect tool for teaching my son new ways of thinking!

send a green star

Jewels S.

7:23PM PDT on Sep 17, 2010

I am fairly good at dealing with negativity. I do thought canceling and have not had a lot of negative thoughts for a while but beware of who you spend time with. I work with someone who does not know how to do this. i have given him a few articles but he does not seem to be able to actually do the work it takes. You can bring the horse to water but you can not MAKE it drink (cats too) thing. The negativity after 2 yrs of trying to protect myself seeped into my brain. I am back to working to pull out of it now. I will have to change jobs soon if the problem doesn't get resolved by him. I like the job too so it is a shame.

Carolyn D.

6:11PM PDT on Aug 26, 2010

I just bought this book and look forward to reading all of it.

Cat N.

6:30PM PDT on Aug 22, 2010

Nice useful advice. You can never have to many negativity busters.

Maryellen O.

6:26PM PDT on Aug 22, 2010

I love the saying hello to the negative energy, acknowledging it, and then asking it to leave. This is wisdom.

Justin R.

5:51PM PDT on Aug 22, 2010

Great info, should be part of curriculums, children need to be taught how to deal with life.

Bente S.

7:09AM PDT on Aug 21, 2010

Sometimes one is really spot on in being angry and negative.
It is not healthy to repress ones feelings.

Dealing with them, ..now that is another matter.

Olivia S.

7:46AM PDT on Aug 20, 2010

Thanks. Great article...as always. Loved the book.

Jennifer M.

7:41AM PDT on Aug 20, 2010

Thanks

Dixie L.

7:03AM PDT on Aug 20, 2010

Great article.