Often when we are having a large amount of negative thoughts, we become too overwhelmed to stay grounded and recognize and process each thought. It is beneficial to be aware and responsive to our thoughts, but when we are faced with too many at once, we need to take a different approach.
A healthy habit to develop when this happens is to write down each one of your negative thoughts. Writing down thoughts has several advantages. First, simply putting your thoughts out on paper can make the thoughts feel more manageable. Seeing them go from abstract and foggy, to a simplified text on paper, allows you to see the issue in a different light. It is also cathartic. Writing down thoughts can feel productive, and when we are struggling to feel we are making progress in addressing negative thoughts, having a plan of action can make us feel less overwhelmed and more in control. Another important benefit is that you can choose which thought you want to deal with and in which order. One of the most beneficial parts of writing down your thoughts is that we no longer need to worry about the thoughts getting lost in our minds, which can give your brain permission to rest knowing the thoughts will be noticed and eventually addressed.
Writing down a whirlwind of thoughts when they arise can begin to give calm to an overwhelmed brain.
