How to stop thinking about something?

Question

There are times when we can’t stop thinking about something, especially negative ones. Feelings of guilt, anxiety, humiliation, or disturbing news are very hard to forget. But if thinking about something becomes so bad that it prevents you from thinking anything else, then it’s time to find a way to forget about it. But the question remains how?

Answer 1

There is no surefire way to make your brain stop thinking about something, but there are things that you can do to make the thoughts less severe.

First, take a closer look at the thought that is bugging you. Is it really that bad? Sometimes our minds just magnify our worries. By focusing on our worries we can think about their solutions.

Second, talk to people about the things that bother you. They may never understand you completely, but letting out your feelings can do you a lot of good. Who knows, maybe you can pry some good advice from the people you talk to.

And finally, do something about it. The more you ignore the things that worry you, the bigger they become. Confront rather than evade.

Answer 2

The best way to stop thinking about something is to share your thoughts with people you love. Yes, just not with anybody, but with people who care for you and are prepared to offer their help when you need them. Talk to them and tell them about the things that you lose sleep over. Let it out. Sharing your burden with other people is not a sign of weakness but a big step towards solving them. The people you talk to may not offer the best advice, but oftentimes just listening is enough. Who knows, these people might have entertained the same thoughts and battled the same demons as you before. Their past experience can be valuable in helping you stop those negative thoughts that are going through your head.

Comments

Exactly! Sharing and communication will always offer you the best solution to how to stop thinking about something.

Answer 3

You can practice blocking negative thoughts so you stop thinking about something constantly. There are instances when it’s best just to ignore those thoughts, especially when you cannot do something to about it. Guilty feelings about things that happened in the past fall under this category.

The first step to doing it is by convincing yourself that it is okay to forget.  It is normal to feel guilty about something, but going about it over and over in your mind isn’t healthy. No matter how bad those thoughts are, or the things that caused them, focus on what lies ahead and on how you can make things better.