How to stop thinking about something?

When something worries us or worries us, we inevitably think about it constantly. We try to find the best solution or we simply ruminate on our thoughts. However, some thoughts can be very harmful. Especially if we have them in our heads all the time. That’s when we should stop thinking about it. But how is that done?

Letting go of an idea, an event or something that disturbs us is a very complicated task. What’s more, many say that the more you want to get something out of your head, the more it contaminates your thoughts.

Luckily, yes There are some strategies to stop those thoughts. from which we need to rest mentally. Plus, probably when you think about it again, everything will be clearer and you will be better able to solve it.

How to stop a thought?

Getting hooked on a thought can cloud our mind, distract us from other tasks, and affect our well-being. It’s more, If these recurring thoughts continue over time, there would be a greater risk of developing a disorder of anxiety or depression. Mainly, to stop thinking about something, we have to realize why we have that idea looping.

The main reasons why this can happen are: we need to solve a problem, we anticipate some event and we are worried about everything that can go wrong and how to avoid it, or it is just a bad psychological habit. Next, We propose a series of strategies that, although they do not guarantee a solution to the problem, will help you disconnect and calm the mind.

tell it to someone else

Generally, it is enough to talk to another person and tell them our feelings and concerns for the negative feeling to dissipate. The fact of verbalizing it helps us organize ideas that, sometimes, flutter through the mind without order and creating confusion. In addition, talking about it with a friend, family member or partner will allow you to contemplate or access options that perhaps you did not have.

That opinion is surely based on what they know about you and they will present it to you with the best of their intentions. It will help you see things from another point of view and, possibly, to consider other options. It may be that when you learn that person’s opinion, suddenly what you thought becomes less important and you don’t have to think about it again.

So, trust your feelings and thoughts to someone who loves you. Feeling understanding from others will at least alleviate the discomfort. which generates constantly thinking about something.

Do something that changes your emotional state

Emotions are conditioned by our thoughts. Therefore, Constantly thinking about negative thoughts will generate negative emotions. such as guilt, worry, anxiety, sadness… However, thanks to psychology we know that our behaviors can modify our emotions.

Likewise, we know what types of activities make us feel better. For example, go for a run, a walk, see friends, watch a series or movie that we like, even meditate. So, When we do things we like later we are able to think more clearly thanks to the fact that our affection is more positive.

Therefore, When you start thinking a lot about something, take a break.. You will easily disconnect and, sooner than you expect, you will find yourself thinking about other things. Looking for a distractor is always an effective strategy to stop thinking about something, especially if the task requires concentration.

Write what would happen if…

A very effective way to stop a recurring thought is to reduce the degree of catastrophizing. That is to say, If we think about something a lot, we may be seeing it worse than it is.magnifying its implications and even inventing possibilities that surely will not happen.

Therefore, a good task is write on paper all the reasons why what we are worried about is not going to happen. That is, take all your fears and what you think will happen and find an argument or reason why it cannot happen. Thus, by rationalizing ideas, you will unconsciously inhibit those thoughts.

Likewise, you can also write a list of possible fatal consequences. In other words, What is the worst that could happen if everything were as you think?. Thinking about what is the worst that could happen inevitably helps us think about how we could survive each of those things. And, above all, it helps us realize that what we fear is probably not so bad (with some really negative exceptions).

In conclusion: think about how to act

If we want to stop thinking about something, the best formula is analyze and intervene in those thoughts, sooner or later. Or, momentarily interrupt the loop so you can see things clearly later. What is undoubtedly necessary is to stop this wheel that hurts us so much and leads us to act in a way that we would not want.

Also, think about what actions you can take, not so much in the ideas. How you can change the situation, what you think is best to do, what you feel you want to do. And, above all, if you still can’t stop thinking about something that affects your social and emotional life, try going to a psychology professional so you can work on it together.

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