Dr. Fred Luskin says we average about 60,000 thoughts a day, and 97% of those thoughts revolve around what we're going to make for dinner. Actually, Luskin doesn't say that. What he does say is that 90% of those 60,000 thoughts are repetitive, while the National Science Foundation suggests that 80% of our thoughts are negative!

So, I have a few thoughts about thoughts, especially those pesky repetitive negative thoughts. Here are 5 ways to rethink your thinking to help you reframe negative thoughts. 

1. Rethink with a comedic lens. Stop and ask yourself, "What would the comedian Carrot Top do right now?" OK, I'm messing with you. That's probably bad advice that could get you fired.  However... research from Stanford University shows that when you re-interpret negative events as comedies, people really do feel less stressed and more energetic and fulfilled.

2. Rethink who you are speaking to. When you beat yourself up with negative talk, as we all do from time to time, stop and ask yourself, "Would you speak to your 8-year-old child or best friend in the same way?"  Of course not! You would be patient. You would be supportive and encouraging. You would offer to help. You would gently point out the positives and or what they could possibly do to get past their challenge. How would your thinking change if you spoke to yourself like you were speaking to your own best friend?  

3. Rethink your words.  A study of bankers who experienced similar economic challenges found that the main factor that differentiated happier bankers from less happy bankers was that the happy bankers viewed problems not as threats, but as challenges to overcome.

4. Rethink how it could be worse. To gain a healthier perspective, wildly exaggerate how the situation could have been worse. Exaggerate so much that it makes you laugh, or at least smile. 

5. Rethink from a place of curiosity.  Take a pause and ask yourself, "What can I learn from this crazy situation?" or "I wonder why this is happening?" Asking "why" questions helps calm our nerves and ground us, so we are more prone to respond rationally rather than react.