Make it STOP by Ms. MacNCheese

1. Name that Feeling

jmcintyre11 — 2018-01-25 17:08:27 UTC

(Psst.. hint, hint.. click on this list to make it larger...)

2. What are you THINKING?!?

jmcintyre11 — 2018-01-25 17:13:05 UTC

When you have that feeling, what is your brain saying to you?
"I'm so stupid." "I can't do this." "I don't want to be here." "I hate you/myself/my life/this monkey." "I wish I were different." "I wish I was more like her/him/it"

3. Actions Speak Louder Than Words

jmcintyre11 — 2018-01-25 17:17:59 UTC

When you are feeling __________, and thinking __________, notice what you are doing. Are you sitting on the couch eating ice cream? Is you head down at your desk? Are you talking badly to other people? Are you asking to go to the nurse's office so you can go home?

4. Now, the IMPORTANT part!

jmcintyre11 — 2018-01-25 17:27:45 UTC

How do your actions make you feel? Do they make you feel worse? Do they reinforce (big word, I know... look it up) the problem? Notice how your feelings, thoughts, and actions are connected. Because they are. Welcome to the Cognitive Triangle. It's a lot like the Bermuda Triangle because you can get lost forever, but different because, in the Cognitive Triangle, escape is possible!

Last but certainly not least

jmcintyre11 — 2018-01-25 17:50:04 UTC

Now that you know how your feelings, thoughts, and actions are connected, and you understand it can be a cycle that goes around and around and around and around and around and around and (ok, you get the point)... how do you stop it? Anywhere on the triangle! But, let's be honest, it's hard to stop a feeling at any point in time just because you want it to stop. Try starting with your thoughts. Write down a few Mantras (<---- wink, wink, that right there is a link. It will take you somewhere far, far away) you can say to yourself when you need a little boost. Not helping? Physical activity is one of the best things you can do to lift your mood. Go for a walk, play a sport you enjoy, or try something new. Too hard to get out the door? Fake it till you make it. Put one foot in front of the other, and soon you'll be walking out the door!

The Bermuda, no wait, the Cognitive Triangle

jmcintyre11 — 2018-01-25 21:29:15 UTC