10 techniques to overcome distracting thoughts
Dealing with a lot of these too, and I can't say I'm a master. But these are ones that work at some points of distractions.
1. Write them down
Have a list of "to worry later" or "to do later". The feeling of just taking it out of my worrying head is better than keeping it there.
2. Distract self with better thoughts
Something more fun, something with a positive impact on myself. Sometimes I fell into a trap of a quick dopamine fix, though.
3. Do something physically demanding
So the body and mind focus on something else for a while. Especially good when it's a craving that I need to control.
4. Meditate / breathe
Indulge in the thoughts for a while and then let it go, or try to just sit there and observe it.
5. Put on some white noise in the background
Whatever works. Music, silly shows, work at a cafe.
6. Journal
As a regular practice, to process the distracting thoughts in general.
7. Doodling
Almost the same with journaling, except with pictures.
8. Put on a happy song and take a walk
Like the white noise and the physical activity combined
9. Take the time to do the distracting thoughts
Especially if this is something that can be done in 5 minutes. I mean, what's the point of being distracted by "I need to take out the trash" when you can just take the trash out and be done with it.
10. Get into the bottom of it.
Why does the distracting thoughts exist? Is the work I'm doing not interesting enough? Not challenging enough? Am I procrastinating? Sometimes distracting thoughts are just the symptoms.
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