At first glance, it seems that positive thinking and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) do not have anything do with each another. But many people with ADD develop a negative thinking pattern because they become frustrated by their challenges and have frequent feelings of being overwhelmed. This negative outlook then makes it even harder for us to manage those challenges and move forward.
If you practice positive thinking it will allow those with ADD to focus on their strengths and accomplishments, which will increase happiness and motivation. This,of course, will allow them to spend more time making progress, and less time feeling down in the dumps. These 9 tips will help provide practical ideas that you can utilize to help you move into a more positive thinking pattern:
Remind Yourself of the Things You Are Grateful For
Stresses and challenges don’t seem quite as bad when you are constantly reminding yourself of the things that are right in life. Taking just 60 seconds a day to stop and appreciate the good things will make a huge difference.
Look for the Proof Instead of Making Assumptions
A fear of not being liked or accepted sometimes leads us to assume that we know what others are thinking, but our fears are usually not reality. If you think that a friend or family member’s bad moods are due to something you did, or that a co-worker is secretly gossiping about you behind your back, ask them about it instead of assuming. Don’t waste time worrying that you did something wrong unless you have proof that there is something to worry about.
Take Good Care of Your Body as Well as Mind
It’s much easier to be positive when you are eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest. If you need to lose only a few pounds, consider jump starting your weight loss by shifting to alow carbohydrate diet or colon flush to get rid of impurities.
Don’t Use Absolutes
Have you ever told a partner “You’re ALWAYS late!” or complained to a friend “You NEVER call me!”? If you think and speak in absolutes like ‘always’ and ‘never’, it makes the situation seem worse than it really is, and it will program your brain into believing that some people are not capable of delivering.
Detach From Negative Thoughts
Your thoughts can’t hold any power over you if you don’t judge them. Learn how to control your anger and manage stressful situations. If you notice yourself having a negative thought, detach from it, witness it, and don’t follow it.
Squash the “ANTs”
In his book “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life,” Dr. Daniel Amen speaks about “ANTs” – Automatic Negative Thoughts. These are the bad thoughts that are usually reactionary, like “Those people are laughing, they must be talking about me,” or “The boss wants to see me? This is going to be bad!” When you notice these thoughts, realizing that they are ANTs and squashing them will help so much in the long run!
Show Your Family and Friends Some Love
You do not have to be an expert to see the benefits of a big hug. Positive physical contact with a friend, loved one, or your pet, can be an instant pick-me-up. One research study on this subject had a waitress touch some of her customers on the arm as she handed them their checks. The waitress received higher tips from those customers than from those she did not touch!
Increase Your Social Activities
By increasing social activity, you decrease loneliness. Surround yourself with healthy, happy people, and their positive energy will affect you in a positive way!
Volunteer for an Organization, or Help another Person
Everyone feels good after helping. You can volunteer your time, your money, or your resources. The more positive energy you put out into the world, the more you will receive in return.
