Certain events or times of year can cause a lot of issues for a lot of people. For some, family coming together can trigger all sorts of imbalances to your well-being…and for others the fact that their family doesn’t come together causes just as much disruption. Negative thought patterns can be hard to avoid especially when triggered by someone or a situation close to you and I wanted to share a technique that can help you take a step back from it, get some space and find a more neutral head space.

It’s called the THINK technique. What you need to do is use it to query a negative thought that comes into your head. Remember - just because you think a thought does not mean it is true.

Challenge your thoughts and learn this technique to help you.

It goes like this:

T is for TRUE

First-is this thought true? Is it a fact or is it an opinion?

H is for HELPFUL

Is this thought helpful to you and your well-being?

I is for INSPIRING or IMPORTANT

Does this thought inspire you? Is it important, right now in this moment?

N is for NECESSARY

Do you need to react to this thought? Or believe it? Right now, later or at all? What do you actually need right now?

K is for KIND

Is this thought kind to you. Imagine your subconscious mind as a small and vulnerable child. Is this thought kind to them? Is it kind to others?

If the answer to any of these questions is no, try and actively choose a re-focus. I find a breathing technique called 4,7,8 really helpful. Breath in for a count of 4, hold for 7 and breathe out for 8. Do it a few times in a row. Repeat this whole process of working through THINK as many times as you need to.

I hope you find this helpful!