My house is located next to some open ranch land, so on occasion I get ants trying to take up residence in my humble abode, especially when it is hot out. When I came home the other day, I discovered ants shacking up in my kitchen rent free via a really small crack in the baseboard. It was clear that they were on the hunt for food and water since it was 100+ degrees outside.
So, I started my usual eviction process by locating all of their entry points, putting down some sort of citrus, soap, peppermint, etc., and then vacuuming up the ones that had already started squatting in my house.
If you have ever had ants, then you know that they come in droves and it seems like they will never stop appearing. Sometimes it takes hours or even days for them to give up on the initial entry point and nearby ones. So, you may be wondering, “Why is this guy bugging me with this post?”
Well, it became apparent to me that ants behave like our negative thought patterns. Have you ever experienced a time in your life when negative thoughts just kept marching into your mind like an army of ants into a house with unlimited breadcrumbs? Maybe it felt like there was nothing you could do to stop those negative thoughts? That can make you feel downright antsy!
The good news is that there are some action steps that you can take to elevate your mood when you find yourself going all aboard the negative thought train. Here are just a few:
1. Identify & Acknowledge
Identify and acknowledge that you are having the thoughts and then act as an observer. This creates a sense of detachment from the thoughts. It is always helpful to remember that you are not your thoughts, and to also forgive yourself for having these negative thoughts. Under no circumstances should you beat yourself up for having negative thoughts.
2. Meditation
Meditation is a great way to focus inward and quiet an active, negative mind. If negative thoughts arise during the meditation, then you can simply bring your attention back to an anchor, such as your breath, to help you relax.
3. Grab That Journal
Journaling allows you to put your thoughts down on paper and get them out of your head. It is quite common to realize how trivial or improbable a negative thought might be when you put it down on paper and analyze it.
4. Get Active
Get active by exercising, taking a walk, going on a hike in nature, etc. Staying active keeps you focused on the present moment of the activity. Furthermore, the feel-good chemicals/hormones (endorphins, dopamine, etc.) are released throughout your body, which can help you feel better.
5. Ask For Help
Talk to someone about your thoughts. Getting a different perspective by seeking coaching or other professional help can have a tremendous impact on how you feel, act, and think going forward.
6. Thought Replacement
Thought replacement can act as a deterrent for negative thoughts. You can do this by replacing a negative thought with a positive thought. This can help because the mind tends to be able to focus on only one thing at a time. Focusing on the positive things in your life can also create a sense of gratitude, which can generate very positive feelings and sensations in your body and mind.
I’m definitely not an expert in pest control, but I do know a thing or two about how our thoughts can dramatically impact our lives in both a positive and negative manner. So, for now I will undoubtedly keep my day job as an attorney, coach, and consultant, and leave extermination to the experts.
Happy and positive thoughts to you!