People get stuck in their heads all the time, some of us more than others.
While sometimes it’s nice to sit in solitude, most times our brains begin to unravel every thought we’ve had, and we start thinking about bills that we have to pay, about what our partner said last night, about every task we have to do the next day, etc.
This causes worrying-based thinking, and a wandering brain soon turns to an unhappy mind when all of our thoughts come together.
Here are five ways to help you get out of your head:
Prepare Yourself To Have Those Feelings
Many people, especially older generations, have been taught to hide their feelings rather than talk about them. If you prepare yourself for and address these feelings by talking to them with a therapist or a trusted friend, you are more likely to overcome your worrying mindset sooner.
Talk To A Stranger
While it can be great to share your feelings with someone you love and trust, another way to get out of your head is to make new connections with others. A study at the University of Chicago found that when participants were asked to talk to a total stranger on the train or bus, it brightened their moods and the stranger’s mood. This is most likely because we do want to connect with one another, even strangers, but aren’t sure if others want to. It turns out they do.
Meditate
Meditating is one of the best ways to calm your mind. Once you focus and slow your breathing, you’ll be able to clear your mind of the negative thoughts taking control. Meditating has been shown to help improve concentration, attention, and cognitive performance. Start with sitting and focusing on your breath for five minutes. If your mind wanders, just observe that wandering with a sense of curiosity and pull it back to your focus.
Focus On Someone Else
Helping others is a good way of helping yourself. A study at the University of Exeter Medical School found that people who volunteered their time for various causes were less depressed and had greater well-being and life satisfaction than people who didn’t. Helping others helps you because it forces you to get out of your own head and focus on something outside yourself. When you spend your time on another person or cause, you’ll find that it’s an excellent way to move the focus away from you. Try asking someone who looks down if they need to talk. It’ll certainly make them feel better, just to be asked that question. And you’ll be better for it, too.
Learn About Mindfulness
If you stop for a minute, and recognize what the problem is and how your body responds to it, you are more likely to take action and stop the issue in its tracks. Often just observing it can make it less scary. The most important thing to remember is that your thoughts can come and go; they don’t have to be believed.
The mind is an amazing place, but sometimes it can be too much; it’s important to know when to take a break.
