How to Get Rid of Negative Thoughts with a Simple Brain Trick
The mind is a powerful thing, isn’t it? I remember a time when my thoughts constantly spiraled into negativity. It felt like no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t escape the cycle of worrying and self-doubt. But everything changed when I discovered a simple brain trick that helped me shift my mindset. It’s not magic, and it doesn’t happen overnight, but with practice, it’s been transformative.
It’s not uncommon for people to feel trapped by their negative thoughts. I used to think that being a “negative person” was just who I was. Then I learned about Emilie Leyes and her approach to changing thought patterns through something she calls “installation.” It’s a technique that anyone can learn to change their mood and outlook on life.
Emilie, a certified hypnotherapist and brain training specialist, shared her insights on TikTok, and it resonated deeply with me. Her story of overcoming negativity was both inspiring and relatable. It made me realize that our minds are wired to focus on the negative due to a natural bias, but we have the power to change that by consciously focusing on positive experiences.
Key Takeaways
- Our brains naturally have a negativity bias, meaning we often focus more on negative than positive experiences.
- The “installation” technique involves reinforcing positive experiences in our minds to balance this bias.
- By practicing installation, you can retrain your brain to focus more on positivity over time.
Understanding Negativity Bias
You might be wondering why our brains seem so stubbornly fixated on negativity. Evolutionarily speaking, this bias helped our ancestors survive by focusing on potential threats. But today, it often leads us to ruminate on small concerns or criticisms. Have you ever found yourself replaying an awkward moment or dwelling on a critical comment despite receiving plenty of praise? That’s the negativity bias at work.
Fortunately, understanding this bias is the first step in challenging it. Emilie Leyes emphasizes that negative thinking isn’t your fault—it’s simply how our brains are wired. The good news is that you can actively work against this bias by using techniques like installation to reinforce positive memories and experiences.
The Installation Technique
The concept of installation was developed by Dr. Rick Hanson, a neuropsychologist who identified two stages in the learning process: activation and installation. Activation is when you’re experiencing something—good or bad—while installation is the process of transferring that experience into long-term memory. Without installation, positive experiences remain fleeting and don’t contribute to personal growth or happiness.
Dr. Hanson explains that negative experiences are automatically installed in our minds because of evolution’s emphasis on survival. However, installing positive ones requires effort. It involves consciously lingering in moments of joy or satisfaction so they become embedded in your memory.
Practicing Installation
- Pause and Notice: When something positive happens, take a moment to truly notice what makes it enjoyable or meaningful.
- Savor the Experience: Spend five to ten seconds—or longer—immersing yourself in those good feelings.
- Create Mental Connections: Allow these positive emotions to resonate deeply by connecting them to other similar experiences from your past.
- Reflect and Reinforce: Afterward, reflect on how this experience enriches your life and reinforces your sense of well-being.
This practice can be as simple as enjoying the taste of a delicious meal or relishing the warmth of sunshine on your skin. By doing so regularly, you’re not just adding positivity in the moment; you’re gradually shifting your brain’s default mode towards optimism.
Final Thoughts
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by negativity, remember that change is possible with persistence and patience. The installation technique offers a practical way to retrain your mind for positivity. It won’t erase all negative thoughts overnight, but over time you’ll notice a difference in how you perceive and react to life’s challenges. Embrace each step forward as progress towards a more balanced mindset where positivity can thrive.