The cognitive restructuring technique of stress management establishes a concrete strategy that transforms unhappiness to a positive outlook. Cognitive restructuring is a useful tool for understanding and turning around negative thinking. It helps one scrutinize unhappy and negative thoughts, decide to challenge them, then rescript the negative thinking that lies behind them. In the process, it can help one approach situations in a positive frame of mind.
Negative moods are not only unpleasant but also detrimental to the potentially good quality of one’s performance, as well as undermine one’s working and social relationships with other people.
There is a basic premise in cognitive restructuring technique: that mood is a product of what one tells himself, based on his interpretations and reactions to his environment. Awareness is key. Cognitive restructuring helps in evaluating the rationality and validity of these interpretations and reactions. When one finds that these assumptions and interpretations are wrong, then the frame of thinking naturally changes, and a change in mood consequently follows.
There is a simple sequence that one can follow for cognitive restructuring: write down the ‘negative’ situation that brought about the negative thoughts and feelings, identify the moods felt during the situation, write down the automatic thoughts that were experienced when that certain mood was felt, identify the evidence that supports these thoughts, identify the evidence that does not support these thoughts, next identify the fair and balanced thoughts about the situation, and finally observe the new mood and think about what to do.
Often, stress and unhappiness are really nothing but a feeling of being overwhelmed by ‘negative’ mood. By merely investigating these things, one’s spirits are lifted, so to speak. Analyzing unhappiness already brings about some sense of empowerment over emotions.
Via everyday HEALTH
