“The mind can be our best friend,” said Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard, “and our worst enemy.” Everyone has experienced when their mind has a mind of its own. Taking control of your mind can make you happier, less stressed, and better equipped to solve problems or achieve goals. Keep reading for some suggestions on how to take over your brain.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Taking Mind Control
Step 1. Stop and take a deep breath
Stop your uncontrollable thoughts by thinking, "STOP!". Take a few deep breaths to calm yourself down before moving on to the next step, so you can examine your thoughts clearly and with a cool head.
- By focusing your mind on your breath for a moment, you've put some distance between yourself and your mind so it's easier to manage it.
- Studies show that it takes 90 seconds for neurochemical triggers to fade from the brain and return to normal brain chemistry. So try counting to 90 to calm yourself down.
Step 2. Enjoy the moment
Constantly reflecting on the past, which you cannot change, or imagining the future, which you cannot predict, obviously results in a loss of control over the mind. Focus on the here and now-the most tangible situations you can control. Thus, your thoughts will follow.
- Many spiritual practitioners suggest enjoying life in the moment which promotes inner calm and peace.
- A simple question to ask yourself: what can I do now to change how I feel?
Step 3. Review your thoughts without judgment
After you stop, go back to your thoughts without criticizing yourself for thinking that way. Think about why you have such thoughts and what makes you feel like you are losing control of your own brain. Looking at your thoughts objectively will help you understand them without provoking negative emotions.
- Look at concrete and objective facts. When you get into an argument, don't blame or guess the reason for the other person's anger. Think about the cause of the fight, what you can do to end it, and the specific reasons that upset you.
- Instead of thinking "I'm so bad with women, it's my fault that I don't have a boyfriend," think "I haven't found love because I haven't met the right person."
- If you're having trouble, write down those thoughts and reread them.
Step 4. Take action to address your thoughts
Silently thinking about ideas without taking action immediately creates an endless cycle of thoughts. Make a plan to deal with your thoughts and worries because uncertainty is often rooted in wild thoughts. If you can't stop thinking about work, make a plan to separate your work life from your personal life. You can take time off, take less work home, or find a new job you like.
- Usually we are unable to control our thoughts because we are afraid to act on them.
- Once you have a plan in place, you need to follow it.
Step 5. Put yourself in a comfortable environment
The outside world greatly influences the inner state. So if you're in an environment that's uncomfortable or out of control, your thoughts will reflect those feelings. Put on some relaxing music, light a candle, or go to a "favorite place."
Scents like lavender, chamomile, and incense have been shown to be relaxing and can help control thoughts
Step 6. Divert your mind for a while with another activity
You can go for a run, watch a movie, or call a friend to take your mind off the problem that's bothering you. Do something right away and don't allow yourself to sit still any longer with your thoughts wandering.
- Record activities that help you relax and incorporate them into your weekly schedule.
- However, keep in mind that this is a short-term solution. You should still try to keep your mind busy when you have trouble overcoming it.
Step 7. Talk to someone to get your thoughts out
A new perspective can often clear your head in a matter of minutes, and sharing it with others prevents the problem from rolling around in your mind again.
- The best people to share thoughts with include friends, parents, and professional therapists.
- If you're uncomfortable, start by saying "I have something to spill," or "I've had something on my mind all day, would you like to listen for a moment?"
Part 2 of 2: Maintaining Mind Control
Step 1. Don't try to choose your thoughts, but control them when they come
The human brain is an amazing organ that can make imaginative leaps, recall memories, and find understanding in no time, and you'll never be able to control all the thoughts that go by. Think of ways to better control the thoughts that come up, not to suppress the thoughts you don't want to have.
Thinking of ignoring something, unfortunately never worked. Whenever you think not to think about something, of course you actually think about it
Step 2. Prioritize mental and mental health
Treat your brain by trying to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night, managing stress levels, and maintaining a positive outlook on life.
Consumption of a healthy diet and regular exercise can promote mental and physical health
Step 3. Identify the events that trigger heavy thoughts
While we shouldn't avoid all problems, be aware of anything that can move your mind in a negative direction and be prepared when it happens. Always prepare your day to end with a positive thought-provoking activity, such as doing creative work, spending time with your family, or a good book, so you can spend the end of the day thinking about the things you enjoy.
- Take a moment each day to take a break and be grateful for your life.
- Be mindful of your thoughts during the "trigger moment". Again, don't judge or criticize yourself.
Step 4. Meditate
For hundreds of years, meditation has been a vital means of relaxing and controlling the mind. Find time to meditate every day even if it's only 5-10 minutes, especially on days when your thoughts are very difficult to control.
Meditation has even been shown to be beneficial for body and heart health
Step 5. Reframe your thoughts in a positive and careful way
This will help your mind adjust to the context of the world around you so that you can understand it better. For example, instead of worrying about your boss dropping your presentation because he doesn't like you, understand that he's also thinking about other employees, the company, his own boss, and basically, it's not just about how he feels about you.
Example: when your loved one hasn't called in a while, he or she is probably busy, or stressed, not sick or in danger
Step 6. Recognize that there are many things that you cannot control
Don't obsess over things you definitely can't control like other people, the weather, the news. Better to focus on yourself. When you think about things that are out of your control, remind yourself that the only thing you can control is yourself. So, do it right away. That's not to say you shouldn't try to make an impact on the environment around you. You are always able to create the greatest impact on your own mind.
Tips
- Remember, when doing creative activities, complete mind control can actually get in the way of surprising breakthroughs or understandings.
- These steps are just the beginning. You'll have to experiment and make adjustments to find which move works best for you.
Warning
- If you have trouble controlling severe, violent, or suicidal thoughts, contact a service or professional immediately.
- Never use harmful substances to control the mind.
