Episode Summary
Over the last couple of days I have hit another very low patch, but one of my own making. Having laid out the theory behind the ABCs of explanatory style earlier in the week, (Adversity-Beliefs-Consequences), the universe rewarded me with my very own adversity to play with.
Unfortunately I didn’t play it very well. In this episode I explore the two options for dealing with those thoughts Martin Seligman suggests in his book Learned Optimism.
Episode Show Notes
00:05 – The last few days have been a textbook example of the Adversity-Belief-Consequences spiral into a depressive state.
00:51 – The two options for dealing with a pessimistic explanatory style.
01:34 – The problem to be dealt with and where it comes from.
02:22 – The first stage of Distraction – options for thought stopping.
04:30 – These are just pattern interrupts (as defined by Neuro Linguistic Programming).
05:02 – The second stage of Distraction – options for attention shifting.
06:46 – I am going to experiment with using an elastic band on my wrist to stop the thoughts and then use a mindfulness exercise to shift my attention elsewhere.
