We all engage in ‘internal discussion’, the sort of dialogue that we have with ourselves. When we feel stressed this type of “self talk” can become very negative, even if we are not usually negative thinkers.

A technique for challenging negative thinking is:

Try to recognise your negative thoughts and write them down on a piece of paper. (The thinking errors section may help you with this!).
On a second sheet of paper, write down a positive thought to every negative one. For example, “I can cope, just relax, you’re doing fine.”
Now destroy your sheet of negative thoughts. Keep your positive thoughts to hand.
Set aside time in your day to read your list of positive thoughts. When you get up in the morning and when you go to bed at night are good times.
You are starting to develop a pattern of thinking positively about yourself and about events.
Distract yourself immediately if you slip into negative thinking. Shout stop, clap your hands, click your fingers or snap an elastic band on your wrist.
Now read your list of positive thoughts and experience how good this makes you feel.