The more we feed negative thoughts to our brain, the more likely they will surface and occur. This happens because thoughts that evoke certain emotions, cluster together via neural pathways. Every time we allow a negative thought to repeat, it strengthens. Therefore, it’s important to recognize the patterns that create difficult emotions and negative moods.

You can integrate techniques to regulate overwhelming emotions and thoughts as and when they arise. For instance, you can exercise or do breathing exercises. You can also resolve patterns that detract from your well-being by building new ones that contribute to mental fitness, such as following a routine, meeting friends, or playing a team sport.

Positive affirmations are expressions that are repeated, often without thinking about it, used to introduce to the subconscious with a thought that can motivate you, remind you of your positive attributes and provide the confidence needed to accomplish goals.

It is important to select affirmations that are realistic, and include visualization as you repeat your positive affirmations. Make sure they are also easy to remember. Affirmations should be in the present tense. For example, if you are affirming your ability to win a race, imagine yourself crossing the finishing line while you say “I am a winner”. Visualization provides a way to implant pictures in your subconscious that complement the words you say.

Meditation teaches its practitioners practice to focus on the present moment, breath by breath. 

Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state.

Meditation has been known to help individuals sleep better, cope with few symptoms associated with mental disorders like depression and anxiety, reduce psychological difficulties associated with chronic pain, and even improve cognitive and behavioural functions.