The art of not thinking

How many times have you wished you could simply not think? How many times have you wanted to stop your mind, hit the pause button and enjoy a few minutes of peace? This is a longing shared by many people, especially those prone to anxiety; and they may feel prey to intense and constant thoughts that exhaust them psychologically.

Overthinking can be a huge burden and a major limitation. in many areas of life. Not only does it immerse us in doubt and permanent indecision, it also increases our stress levels and makes our social relationships difficult. And the fact is that by living in the mind we are unable to connect with the person in front of us. Fortunately, there are some tricks and guidelines that can help us reverse this trend.

Is it possible not to think?

No matter how exhausting the mental chatter is, not thinking about anything at all is practically impossible. However, what is possible is to focus our attention on a specific aspect, so that we can modify the activity of the cerebral cortex and thus obtain some rest.

This is what we seek to achieve with practices such as mindfulness or meditation. Thus, when a person is invited to leave his mind blank, in reality you are being urged to regulate the flow of thought, to focus it deliberately and let go of the intrusive ideas that appear during the practice of this exercise.

This is a proposition that is not easy for most of us. We live in a fast-paced society, in an environment full of stimuli and we have become accustomed to the content of our minds being frenetic and chaotic. HoweverWe can apply some simple exercises to slow down this activity and find the long-awaited inner peace.

Exercises that help you not think

Conscious breathing

This is one of the most useful practices for those new to the art of not thinking, since it is relatively easy to implement. The objective is to inhale and exhale with a certain cadence, so that all attention is focused on the flow of air in and out of the organism.

To practice conscious breathing, find a quiet place where you can be alone and know that no one will interrupt you. As much as possible, dress in comfortable, loose clothing that allows for natural body movements when breathing, and close your eyes. You can sit or lie down with your back straight.as is most comfortable for you.

Next, place your left hand on your chest and your right hand on your abdomen. When you inhale, draw the air toward the lower part of your lungs, making sure your belly rises.. As you exhale, slowly release the air while your stomach lowers, as if you wanted to join it with your back. You can use a certain cadence, so that each of the phases (inhale, hold the breath, exhale, hold) each last four seconds.

Body scan

This is another simple exercise that you can use, for example, when you go to sleep. It consists of lying on your back, closing your eyes and begin to focus your attention on each part of your body as you slowly walk through it. You can start with your feet and work your way up or do the process in reverse, starting from the crown of your head.

In each area of ​​the body try to identify if there is tension, if there is pain, what sensations you experience… You can even tense the muscles in the region for a few seconds and then relax them. At the end of the exercise you will have reached a state of great physical and mental relaxation.

Display

Since it is not possible to eliminate mental content, why not deliberately select one that is pleasant and positive, that transmits calm and well-being? This is what visualization is all about; in vividly and sustainably imagine a beautiful and pleasant scene.

We can visualize a field, a beach, some dolphins jumping in the ocean…The key is to get involved in it with the five senses: What colors predominate in the landscape? What does it smell like? Can you hear any sound or feel the breeze? This exercise is very useful to focus attention.

Meditation and mindfulness

Finally, if you want to not think, you can practice meditation and mindfulness. If you are a beginner, you can help yourself with guided meditations that you will find on the internet or attend group classes, so that an external person guides you in your first practices.

On the other hand, mindfulness can be part of your daily life at any time. Simply, andFocus on the activity you are doing, whether it is cooking, showering or talking with a friend… stay focused on the present, on what you perceive, on what you feel; And when your mind wanders to the past or future, gently guide it back to the here and now.

The art of not thinking

Although the above suggestions are relatively simple to implement, not thinking is truly an art. It requires patience, perseverance and perseverance. With practice, it will become more and more natural for you to enter that state of calm and tranquility. and intrusive thoughts will become less and less. A few minutes a day can be enough to make a difference, reduce stress and increase psychological well-being; Therefore, start on this path today.

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