Use positive memories to counteract negative thoughts from "summary" of Hardwiring Happiness by Rick Hanson,PhD
When you're feeling overwhelmed by negative thoughts, it can be helpful to tap into positive memories as a way to shift your mental landscape. By consciously recalling moments of joy, love, or contentment, you can counteract the power of negativity and create a sense of balance within yourself. This practice is not about denying the reality of difficult emotions or pretending that everything is perfect. Rather, it's a way to cultivate a more resilient mindset and build inner resources that can help you navigate life's challenges with greater ease. Positive memories have a unique ability to soothe the nervous system and calm the mind, providing a sense of relief and comfort in the midst of distress. When you deliberately focus on positive experiences, you are strengthening the neural pathways associated with those feelings, making it easier for your brain to access them in the future. This process of "hardwiring happiness" involves actively savoring the good moments in your life, allowing them to sink in and become a lasting part of your mental landscape. In order to effectively counteract negative thoughts with positive memories, it's important to be intentional and systematic in your approach. Start by identifying specific memories that evoke feelings of joy, gratitude, or peace withi...
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