ABC Mindfulness
ABC Mindfulness is a simple trick to help reduce negative thoughts. It’s great for kids but honestly works well for adults too. It goes as Follows:
1. Pick a general topic such as Movies, Sports, History.
2. Start with A and go through the entire alphabet looking for words that begin each letter in order that have to do with the topic of your choice. After you’ve done it a few times try more specific topics like Football or Chicago Bears.
Remember: The goal of this isn't to necessarily succeed and get from A to Z, but to stop your negative thinking by thinking about something benign. I find it most helpful when I actually get stuck for a few minutes on one letter. That means I'm thinking about the game and not the negative anxious thoughts I was a few minutes ago.
Example:
Topic: Movies
Annie Hall,
Back to the Future,
Casablanca
The Dark Knight
The Empire Strikes Back
Fargo
The Godfather
Happy Gilmore
Inception
Jaws
King Ralph
Love Actually
Memento
North by Northwest
Ordinary People
Pulp Fiction
The Queen
Rear Window
Star Wars
Toy Story
Up
V for Vendetta
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?
X-Men
Young Frankenstein
Zorro