We all have moments of getting into worst case scenario thinking, doom forecasting about what could go wrong in the future.   This takes not just a mental toll on us but also has a physical impact on our body as we bring about physiological changes with each negative thought.   

An anxious thought about something ‘bad’ potentially happening produces stress hormones that impact the body without the event even actually having happened.  Heart beat rises, breathing becomes restricted and digestion is put on the go-slow as a non essential function when preparing for ‘danger’.   We are in effect rehearsing for what we don’t want!  In addition we feel less confident, become more shut off from others and are less likely to take productive action.

It takes just as much energy to think of the best case scenario and similarly this impacts the body but with positive effects.  Having a viewpoint that everything is always working out for you (even when it appears not to be) is refreshing and gives you faith to keep moving forward.

Negative thinking is habitual and unhelpful.   Even when things don’t go to plan, we usually learn a useful lesson in some way because of that ‘misfortune’.   So try asking ‘what is the lesson here for me’, what if it all works out?

Simple shifts in our thinking can make a big difference to our daily experiences.