I started trying out reading self help books over a year ago. The 3 I have read are "Overcoming Low Self Esteem", Teach Yourself To Meditate" and "21 days to a new you". Now the bonus word in that sentence is TRIED, I haven't finished one of the books, I get bored. But there is some things that all 3 books have in common with helping my "issue". Positivity. Some days I find it really hard to be positive, sometimes it's really easy. It all depends on what's happened during the day and how I feel. Some advisable techniques I have gained from the books are; to breath, practice what you want to do well, don't avoid things you want to do, predicting what's going to happen isn't fact - it's opinion. Whenever I have sat down and read a few pages from any of these books I instantly have a positive vibe, I don't know how to explain it! I defo recommend these books to anyone. I bought the meditation book to help me relax, and I think the techniques are amazing if I actually bothered to practice them. whoops.
I tried to self hypnotize almost 2 years ago (oo the way I worded it made it sound bad) . I was going through one of the worst phases of my life, and I didn't even know why. I've always been a happy person in general, but I didn't feel myself, I didn't enjoy doing the things I used to. I literally googled self hypnosis, and started downloading free tracks. They didn't do anything except make me fall asleep. I then looked on Amazon, and bought two of Paul Mckenna's books as I hear so much about him. The books came with a CD to go hand in hand with eachother, using CBT therapy. The main book I bought was called "how to be confident" now this is really cringey for me to admit on here, I bought it because I had just gone into my shell and had no confidence anymore and no one even knew. Now for me it didn't work and again the CD just helped me to fall asleep, it may have helped some of my anxiety for a week or so, but I felt it actually making me worse. Just to point out because it didn't work for me, it doesn't mean it wont work for someone else. The reason I bought Paul Mckenna was because of all the amazing reviews from people it helped.
I also googled "self help for Anxiety" and found some pretty interesting websites. There is one I want to emphasize about called "MoodGym" This is FREE and let me tell you the idea behind it is brilliant. It uses CBT techniques to help people that suffer with low confidence, self esteem, depression or anxiety. It's like a workbook you log into every couple of days. You can go straight to the website now by CLICKING HERE. You don't even have to "suffer" from the things listed above, it is just a great way to boost your positive thinking.
Since I have tried these techniques I have became myself again. I started this blog around May last year, and thankfully I've never felt as bad as I did in the Summer 2012. Whenever I do have a down day I normally express it over my blog, and let me tell you ranting about my problems on here really does help! Writing down any negative thoughts seems to take it out of your head and on the computer screen. A little better place in my mind ;) If you don't have a blog, or don't want to write about things like that on your blog then write it down in a notebook that no one will ever find.
If that isn't enough little tips for battling those negative demons then I have some others below;
- Surround yourself with positive people, other positive people make more people positive
- Sounds silly, but think/write about the things you should be happy about eg. Having a loving family
- Look at your life from an outside perspective
- Think of something to be excited about. For me it's to carry on blogging and seeing what opportunities arise from it.
Do you have any other ways to achieve positive thinking? xx
Love Laura xx
It's great that you've taken so many steps to achieve positive thinking because you could easily just cave in and admit defeat. So good on you for carrying on!
ReplyDeleteI always find that it helps to focus on what you do have rather than what you don't have. I saw someone tweet about a book the other day which contains a positive quote for every day. Can't remember what it's called but when I can, I'm going to buy it!
IAmLinderella.blogspot.co.uk
Aww thanks Linda! Yep I do my best to focus on the positive :) xx
DeleteI really enjoyed reading this. I have several self-help books for anxiety and like you have never finished them! I've never heard of MoodGym but I've just checked it out and signed up so hopefully it'll be of some use! X
ReplyDeleteHanclarky
I really want to fully read the 21 days to a new you. Aww I'm so glad you signed up, let me know how it goes xx
DeleteI'm suffering pretty badly with anxiety and low self esteem and have done for years, its at its worst its ever been at the moment and reading this post has given me a bit of a boost actually, and i'm off to check out that site now. Well done you for getting yourself back on track, hopefully one day I can say I have done the same! x
ReplyDeleteMolly's Beauty Spot | A Beauty & Lifestyle Blog
I'm sorry to hear you're at a really low point right now! If you ever want to talk don't hesitate to contact me via email! I hope you sign up to the website, I personally thinks it's pretty good xx
DeleteI feel like we're so on the same page right now because I suffered with anxiety, low self esteem, issues with stress and negativity but over time I have gotten over it. This included googling lots of questions and crying myself to sleep when I was at my lowest, attending CBT sessions and then gradually getting to a point where I thought 'You know what? My life is actually pretty good.' A fresh start at college is what helped me the most and as sad as I am to say this, when me and my boyfriend ended up in a LDR and eventually broke up, It gave me a lot of time to think by myself and work my issues out. Don't get me wrong, I still have my moments, but it's not as worse as it was before and I'm most definitely looking at life in a more positive way than I ever was in the past.
ReplyDeleteI know how hard it is to exist when you're at your lowest so I'm really glad to hear that everything is getting better for you.
xxx
I think unless you've dealt with these issues, you will never know what a person feels like going through it (if that makes sense) I can see you've tried a couple of ways to get over these issues, I'm happy you're looking at life in a positive way :) xxx
DeleteGood on you for talking about it on here! It's such a positive step to be taking, and it's interesting for me to read about. I hope you continue on :) x
ReplyDeleteaww yay, Ye me too :) xx
DeleteA great post Laura, funnily enough today I was thinking about buying some self help books and will definitely check out MoodGYM now.
ReplyDeleteYou sound like a truly lovely person and I hope 2014 is a wonderful year for you! xo
Sophie | soinspo <3
ye check it out it's free so can't harm! and aww that is really sweet! same for you :) xx
Deletelove you blog!!!
ReplyDeletehope we could follow each other.
so let me know on my blog page!
http://fetish-tokyo.blogspot.jp/
thanks x
DeleteI love the quote flying round of 'Do more of what makes you happy' - simple but so true! Lovely post!
ReplyDeleteCarrie xx
carriebrighton
Ye love that quote x
DeleteI also suffer from anxiety :( but the mood gym sounds a really great idea!
ReplyDeletehttp://lizzieharrisonbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/
it's really good!! xx
Deleteit's really good!! xx
ReplyDeleteit's really good!! xx
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