A well-developed thought “is like a
ski track in the snow. The more you ski down a path, the easier it is to go
down that path and not another,” says Alex Korb, a neuroscientist and author of
“The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One
Small Change at a Time.”
Psychologists call this path
creation, "cognitive reappraisal." Individuals who develop intent and
practice thoughts that stimulate stronger neural networks increase positive
thoughts and a joyful brain.
Performing a cognitive reappraisal
does not involve turning off negative thoughts. It is also not about turning
untrue negative thoughts into untrue positive ones.
The goal deals with reframing thoughts constructively, so they are based in reality. Thoughts are composed of
a pattern of activity between proteins, chemicals, gene expressions, and neural
connections in the brain. The more we focus on a thought, the strong the
circuit grows. The mind, like the body, grows with repetition.
Begin to practice by writing down
negative thoughts as they appear.
Then challenge them. Write
affirmations: “I am creative.” “I am a good friend.” The goal is
repetition.
Reappraise negatives with creative possibilities.
Develop a positive path.
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