how do you shut your brain off (NO idiotic answers please)?

Question

I've been overthinking everything lately and its really leading me to messing up because alot of things in my life as I'm just thinking negative things, and seeing everything as being my fault even when I know alot of it isn't.......what I want to know is, is there a way to stop thinking so much??

I've tried the exercise thing...im presently up to running 15 KM a day and yes it does get my mind off of stuff but thhen 5 mins later im messy again

Answer 1

yoga and meditation is great. But when under all the pressure and chaos of life, just sneak away for a minute and go to a happy place!
Like imagine yourself in your perfect enviroment and focus all your thoughts on the littlest details. Yes, it's kinda like meditation but to a very very small degree.
It won't make you feel a hundred percent better but it will quiet your thoughts for a bit.
Best of luck to ya!

Answer 2

No. There is no way to "shut the brain off" without killing it. That is, even in our sleep our brains continue to process stimuli (otherwise we would not dream), send neurotransmitters to and fro, and generally keeps a minimal amount of energy going so we continue to breathe in our sleep. That is, even sleep does not shut down brain activity, it just changes intensity and quality of activity.

Therefore...

To stop thinking is dangerous. Knowledge is power. However, what you really need to do is teach yourself to choose what to think *about*. Start realizing that life requires reciprocity, and that means there is always two sides to every story... let others take responsibility for their own "stuff". That is, "it's all my fault" is not realistic.

Refuse to think negatively anymore! Things are only "bad" if you "expect" them to be so. Start looking for the happiness, for the sweetness, for the everyday normalness. Start building up your account of support. Start *expecting* life to be positive. Sure, life isn't fair, there will be some negative things "this way comes", but if you build on positive foundations, exercise your right to choice in whether positive or negative mental states will accompany you on a daily basis, then you have positivity to draw upon when you need support to deal with the negativity.

Answer 3

Haven't we all been through instances like this? It's hard to make your brain shut off, in fact, I think that it is medically impossible. Our brains work 24/7 all the time, it just keeps processing information over and over and when we don't feed it something new, it just keeps on obsessing over certain situations.

I think that one of the things that you could try is to divert your attention to something else. Take up a new hobby, go running and just listen to music try to clear your mind. Whenever you feel that you're being sucked back into thinking negative thoughts do something different at that same time. Even if it's just jumping up and down. Create a diversion is what I'm saying, talk to your friends, go out for a cup of coffee, play one of your favorite sports, whatever it takes to just get you to stop thinking about it. They key is to act immediately.

You need to work on building up your self appreciation, I'm sure that you're a kind person and that you're capable of doing a lot of good things. So, the next time you start thinking that something is your fault, try and do something good for someone. It really helps. If you still can't help it and you're consumed by those negative thoughts, then write. Just vent to yourself, write everything that has ever bothered you down on paper (or type it on the computer, whatever works for you). It helps to get you to clear your mind and see things from a different point of view. Once you've read them and made sure that you're seeing things correctly, then just burn those papers or tear them...and consider the real weight to be gone just like that.

Hope it helps!

Answer 4

You can't think of two things at the same time, so have something else "in your pocket" to bring into your thoughts and jump to when the negative self talk comes up.
• You can visualize something positive and wonderful, like you being successful in something important to you.
• Prayer is another technique you can use, asking in your own words for what you really want and to let go of the negative thoughts.
• Breath is a third thing you can try. Every breath in is inviting positive, golden light, peace, trust... every breath out is letting go.
• Listening to books on tape of some of the great motivational speakers will help you shift your focus too. (Zig Ziglar, Stephen Covey, Dennis Waitly...)
You can do it!

Answer 5

Yes, when you think of bad problems, remember that God wants you to realize that you must forgive youself in order to forgive others. Try this and also think of 20 reasons of why you are grateful for things in your life;once in this frame of mind you will sleep like a baby. You did come from a royal family.

Also when I was young, I thought how boring school was and I, in my mind, would see a black board. This really helped.

I'll pray for you and you will be able to turn from your negative thinking into peaceful sleep.

Mary
God bless you.

Answer 6

I got on depression meds. lately because my husband told me that he was no longer in love with me. I kept having thoughts of not being loveable, worthwhile, or having a future. Try to look at your good qualities. Think about what your really good at. You know the special talents that you have. Without my medication I couldn't think rationally and I kept thinking everything was my fault, with the medication I see that he too was to blame. Keep thinking, but do it in a positive manner.

Answer 7

we live in a world we partially create and thoughts are the lightning rod that attracts or casts out into the ether what we expect or simply focus on...to focus your attention on positive,grander things will keep the many smaller thoughts from siphoning off your energy(force)and manifest what you don't want.recreate your self image and expect the change,things will go your way,you will reach your goals(the focus for your directed energy)and life will respond.be patient.thoughts are fast like energy,manifestation is slower as all solid things are really just dense packets of energy....try to be who you imagine to be,you will be changed,and the world will act as you expect...i have done this,it is not easy,but it will give you peace

Answer 8

I recommend you read a book by Byron Brown called Soul Without Shame. It is about learning to disengage from the criticisms of your super ego or inner critic. Beyond that, the other recommendations you have received about exercise, yoga, meditation, etc. will be helpful.

Answer 9

Yes there is a way -------JUST DON'T THINK ABOUT IT. Now that means think on things of good report ,lovely, and pure thoughts. False burdens can and sometimes leads to negative thinking.

Answer 10

Take about ten minutes every day and stretch, breathe deeply. Maybe take a yoga class. Think simple too!