Chronic stress can cause changes in our thinking.  We start to be able to remember all the mistakes we may have ever made in our lives and we tend to ruminate on these thoughts and this can increase any stress we are under.  Many of us think that we are at the mercy of our thoughts and there is nothing we can do but this is not the case.  When stressed, we are often given advice from people who say just think positive thoughts, but if it was as easy as this we would do so, but its not that easy.

However, there is a proven psychological technique we can use to help stop stressful thoughts which is called Thought Stopping.  Like any other skill in order to get the maximum benefits of it we need to practice, practice, practice.  It's a deceptively simple technique and some may make the error of not using it because it may appear too over simplistic, but the reality is that it does work.  The Lung Association teach this thought stopping technique in their Stop Smoking classes to help participants give up smoking. 

Use this thought stopping technique every time you have a stress inducing thought.  Do not let stressful, negative thoughts go unchallenged.