Positive Thinking Worksheet

Worksheet in which children can reflect on a specific situation that happened to them: they can think about what they were thinking, how they reacted and how they felt. They can then think about a more positive thoughts they could have had and how that may have changed their reactions and emotions.

Changing how you think about a situation can lead to more positive thinking and emotions through a process called cognitive restructuring. Here's how it works:

1. 1) Identifying negative thoughts: The first step is to become aware of your negative or distorted thoughts about a situation. These thoughts are often automatic and may involve cognitive distortions such as catastrophizing, overgeneralization, or personalization.

2. 2) Examining evidence: Once you've identified the negative thoughts, you can challenge them by examining the evidence supporting or contradicting them. Look for alternative explanations or more balanced perspectives.

3. 3) Generating alternative thoughts: Generate alternative, more realistic, and positive thoughts related to the situation. These new thoughts should be based on evidence and provide a more balanced view of the situation. For example, if your negative thought is "I always fail at everything," a more balanced alternative thought could be "I have had successes in the past, and this setback does not define my abilities."

4. 4) Evaluating the impact: Reflect on how adopting these new thoughts might change your emotions and overall outlook. Consider the potential positive outcomes or shifts in perspective that may result from the new way of thinking.

5. 5) Practicing and reinforcing new thoughts: Actively replace negative thoughts with the more positive and realistic thoughts you've identified. This process requires practice and repetition to strengthen the new cognitive patterns. Over time, it becomes more automatic and natural.

By engaging in cognitive restructuring, you can gradually shift your thinking patterns, leading to more positive thoughts and emotions. By challenging negative thoughts and replacing them with more accurate and constructive ones, you can reduce negative emotions such as anxiety, sadness, or anger, and cultivate more positive emotions like optimism, self-confidence, and resilience. This change in thinking can have a profound impact on your overall well-being and how you perceive and respond to various situations in your life.

Clipart images courtesy of Kari Bolt Clip Art

Included is 1 PDF printable worksheet