What goes on inside our heads, and the quality of our thoughts, affects our lives in so many ways—our moods, confidence, relationships, self-love, compassion, self-care, and much more.
Learning how to get out of our heads and change our thought habits is key. To do so, we have to use certain tools for relief to eventually get rid of negative thoughts.
Here are five achievable ways you can do this:
Break free from your cycling thoughts by:
• Going for a walk.
• Taking a step toward your goal.
• Meeting a friend for coffee or a bite to eat.
• Cleaning your house.
• Putting on some music and dancing.
2) Connect with the present moment by engaging in your senses.
Be present. The Dalai Lama said it best: “There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do, and mostly, live.”
So stop worrisome thoughts by:
• Listening to the sounds you hear.
• Looking around you and describing the setting.
• Smelling the air and truly trying to pick up scents.
• Noticing how your feet feel on the ground or how your bum feels on the seat. Touching the different textures around you.
• Eating a piece of fruit and describing the tastes—is it juicy, sweet, sour?
3) Focus on what you can control.
We can only control so many things in our lives. We can’t control other people and their actions. We can’t change certain circumstances like natural disasters. Remember that you manage who is in your life, where you live and work, how much time you spend on things, what you eat, how much you sleep, and how much exercise you get. Knowing when you have choices and letting go of the rest is a must.
Speaking out loud about what is on your mind can help alleviate the issue, and most likely someone will be able to relate to you. You can also seek advice from a trusted friend, therapist, family member, or colleague. When we keep something to ourselves, stuck in our heads, there is no way to get it out.
When you don’t occupy your mind with having to remember every little thing—like all the groceries you should get—you become less stressed, and it becomes easier to think clearly. Writing things down can help you process how you’re feeling emotionally about a situation. This is, in my opinion, one of the most important reasons to write things down. Feeling calmer and more relaxed not only improves your health but also makes life smoother and your day-to-day more productive.
Poosh Favorites: Journals
Erica Spiegelman is a wellness specialist, recovery counselor, and author of the new book The Rewired Life (2018) as well as Rewired: A Bold New Approach to Addiction & Recovery(2015), the Rewired Workbook (2017), the Rewired Coloring Book (2017), all published by Hatherleigh Press. Erica holds a bachelor’s degree in literature from the University of Arizona and is a California State Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADAC)-II from UCLA. For more information, visit Erica’s website or follow @Erica Spiegelman on Instagram.
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