Short messages on Mental health, stress and anxiety issues from Respect Yourself, the guidance site for young people to help make good decisions in life.
When bad things happen to us, we can feel incredibly helpless. Sometimes the way we fight back against this feeling is by making negative thinking a default way of life. It satisfies our need for a sense of control over our lives and keeps us from being disappointed when disaster happens.
Do you frequently obsess over worst-case scenarios? Do you struggle to think well of yourself or others? We all fall into patterns of negative thinking from time to time. When that pattern occurs over a long period of time, it can degrade our health in body, mind, and spirit.
Be a friend to yourself and let a friend’s drama go when you walk away. A lot of the drama we experience in life comes from our interpretations of the things we experience – particularly after the moments have passed.
Sometimes what we’re labeling as drama is just someone who really needs us. Instead of using mental energy judging the situation as good or bad, focus on being there and being a friend in the moment.
Let people know that they can be honest with you. If someone thinks they need to walk on eggshells around you, they’ll likely hold things in – but those things will come out eventually, if not in words, in resentful actions.
A lot of drama comes from poor communication and confusion. Eliminate it by finding the courage to say exactly what you mean. It may be harder in the moment, but it can save a lot of heartache in the long run.
“Drama comes about because of either misunderstanding or overreaction. Be as honest and open in all cases as possible. Quell your own negative emotions, which will in turn diffuse the negative emotions of others.” – Vito Ruiz
“If I have an issue with someone I go straight to them to talk about it, and I don’t talk to anyone else about it if they aren’t involved. Gossip breeds drama!” – Kristie Sherman
If you don’t want to change how often you see someone who makes you feel stressed, recognise drama triggers. When the conversation moves toward their favourite horrible situation, steer it somewhere else.
Take an inventory of which people in your life leave you feeling stressed and unhappy more often than not. If you don’t want to completely remove a toxic relationship, minimise the time you spend together.