Dr. Daniel Amen, a renowned psychiatrist in the United States, has shared five ways to banish negative thoughts. Dr. Amen is known for providing psychological counseling to high-profile celebrities such as Bella Hadid, Justin Bieber, and Miley Cyrus.
Dr. Amen recently posted a viral video on his TikTok channel, which has received about 850,000 views.
In the video, he revealed five simple tricks to eliminate negative thoughts and embrace a more positive outlook.
“Start your day by saying, ‘Today is going to be a great day,’ sipping on some warm tea, or getting your body moving,” Dr. Amen advised.
Ready to give your mood a makeover? Here are Dr. Amen’s five go-to strategies for overcoming those pesky negative thoughts:
1. Speak It Into Existence
Saying, “Today’s going to rock!” can seriously boost your emotional resilience. Fun fact: People with a sunny disposition actually have more active frontal lobes than their glass-half-empty counterparts.
When your frontal lobe is activated, it works well with your amygdala (the brain’s emotion center) to help you shake off bad vibes. It also increases serotonin levels, which can help reduce aggression, depression, and anxiety.
2. Sip on Some Tea
Tea time isn’t just for Brits—it’s a stress-busting, anxiety-melting ritual we should all embrace. Whether you’re into green tea, herbal blends, or hibiscus, they all contain apigenin, a flavonoid that tells your brain to chill out and relax.
A University of Pennsylvania study found that people who enjoyed a cup of chamomile tea experienced a significant anxiety reduction.
3. Get Moving
Feeling down? Lace up those sneakers! Exercise is a powerful antidote to the blues. Research from Southern Cross University in Australia shows that breaking a sweat boosts your brain’s production of feel-good chemicals like serotonin and norepinephrine and enhances memory-boosting neurotrophic factors (NTFs).
4. Laugh Out Loud
Even if you have to fake it ’til you make it, cracking a smile or letting out a laugh can work wonders for your mood. Laughter acts like a natural mood enhancer, releasing endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin – your body’s very own painkillers.
The U.S. Postpartum Stress Center found that new moms dealing with the baby blues showed real improvements after laughter therapy. The release of endorphins during laughter brought about positive physiological changes.
5. Meditate for Happiness
Carve out just five minutes for mindfulness, and you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel. Meditation boosts overall satisfaction and positive thinking and is also a great way to prepare for your day mentally. Visualizing your schedule can help you stay on top of things and reduce stress.
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