Automatic Negative Thinking

Automatic Negative Thinking

Did you know that we can rewire our brains and thinking patterns? Think of the analogy of an ANT at a picnic. One ANT is annoying, but a group of ANTs can ruin a picnic. Did you know that you become an ANT with Automatic Negative Thinking?

When we love someone addicted to drugs or alcohol, it is easy to become an ANT. Our thought patterns continually become negative, which brings us down and others around us down as well. We become depressed, fearful, angry, lonely, and sick. The negative thought pattern keeps the adrenal chemicals looping and diminishes the ability to problem solve. It becomes unhealthy. We become unhealthy.

So, how do we stop being ANTs?

It takes consistently and intentionally redirecting our thoughts. But we can do it.

• Start each day by expressing gratitude. Write it, speak it, share it.
• Intentionally activate smile muscles. Whether or not you “feel happy,” you need to make a conscious decision to engage in things that make you laugh (i.e., watch laughing baby videos, laughing yoga, etc.). Smiling and laughing redirect the synapses and produce calming chemicals in your brain, offsetting the stress loop chemicals.
• Do DEEP breathing exercises. Any exercise/deep breathing done regularly releases endorphins that activate the vagus nerve, which is connected to every major system.
• Reaffirm out loud who you are from God’s perspective. “I am a child of God. I am loved by God. I am beautifully and wonderfully made. I am amazing.” Even if you do not believe it, speak it every day.

With our ANT (automatic negative thinking) behavior, our brain feels and responds to things in a negative way. So, we must rewire our brains to automatic POSITIVE thinking (APT). With positive thinking, we can begin to find peace, joy, happiness, hope, and life again, no matter what our loved one is or is not doing.

You have a choice each day. Are you going to be an ANT or an APT?

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:14