Fact: Our minds are constantly thinking about something.

Fact: Often those things aren’t the beneficial things we’d rather be focused on.

We’ve all had times where our thoughts aren’t focused on the things we know they should be. We become consumed with things such as persistent worries, little niggles, or recurring concerns that don’t go away. Of course, the more you try to not focus on something, the more you end up obsessing with it. This is because the mind is not good with focusing on “not doing” something. The best way to free your mind from unwelcome or unwanted thoughts to is engage it with other thoughts or to remove or resolve the cause of the thoughts you are having. Here is a somewhat lengthy list of techniques you can employ to free your mind.

Forgive

Forgiving another person (or yourself) can help you to move on from the past and release yourself from negative emotions and thoughts. Easier said than done, sometimes, but most times it is only yourself you continue to punish.

Meditate

Meditation has been used for thousands of years to clear and free the mind. Doing so doesn’t have to involve burning candles and sitting in the lotus position; it can simply be sitting comfortably, allowing thoughts to enter your mind and pass through without engaging in them. Doing this for as little as ten minutes can be enough to free your mind from persistent or annoying thoughts.

Exercise

Exercising focuses the body on its physical requirements and takes attention off your thoughts. Exercise also releases endorphins and lowers cortisol, often bringing about a more positive and happier mood, as well as providing your mind a way to develop its ability to focus.

Let go of the past

Letting go of the past allows you to focus on the here and now, and also helps you choose more empowering thoughts.

Be mindful

Being mindful is the practice of focusing the mind on everyday actions that you might normally do on autopilot. By practicing mindfulness, the mind concentrates on the task at hand rather than thoughts and feelings you might prefer not to have.

Stop feeling guilty

Guilt is an emotion that, when left unchecked, can escalate and leave you feeling trapped and powerless. Practice noticing when you feel guilty and find ways to let go of guilty feelings.

Smile and laugh

You will feel better for smiling and laughing, even when you don’t feel like it! Your brain registers the movements of the muscles in your face when you smile and then releases hormones and chemicals that make you feel good. Your improved emotions will make it easier to change how you are thinking.

 

Stop people-pleasing and approval-seeking behaviors

Many people are people-pleasers or approval junkies, but engaging in these behaviours ultimately leaves you feeling trapped, as though you are living your life for others. Notice when you are engaging in these behaviors and start practicing living life for you.

Just do it!

Do one thing today that scares you or that you’ve been putting off. Your mind will be brought into sharp focus by the adrenaline your body produces.

De-clutter your physical possessions

A calming environment free from clutter can help you get into a more relaxed state of mind. Without the distraction of clutter around, you are freer to let your mind focus on more positive thoughts.

Visualize yourself as the person you want to be

Think of someone you admire and imagine how they would handle the thoughts you are having. Then visualize yourself acting in the same way. Eventually, and I know this for fact, the traits will become habit and you will be those things you admire.

Make the decision to let go of toxic relationships and nourish positive connections

Unhealthy relationships can lead to negative thoughts and stressful states. Nourishing positive relationships will enrich your life, filling your mind with more positive thoughts and memories.

Do one thing every day to work towards a dream

Goal setting. Everything starts with the first step. Identify your goal and the changes needed and take the decision to take that first leap: you’ll soon be on your way to achieving your dreams rather than just thinking about them.

Notice the hobbies or activities you enjoy so much that you lose a sense of time

Play EVE Online more often! Engaging in a pastime you enjoy helps to promote a more mindful and meditative state of mind. This state allows the mind to relax and mindfully focus on the pursuit being undertaken, replacing other thoughts that may be occupying your mind.

Let go of regrets

To let go of regrets, you could write a letter to yourself or make a list and then burn or throw it into a stream as a ritual of letting the regrets go.

Practice self-love

Honor yourself and your choices and let go of self criticism and judgement. Or engage in the other self-love.

Dance!

Move your body and let go of what you think you look like! This is guaranteed to alter your mood and free your mind.

Spend time alone

Get used to your own company and enjoy just “being” without the need for constant company, entertainment, or being busy for its own sake.

Try something new

Try something new; maybe a new hobby or even a new meal choice. Mix things up and get out of your usual way of doing things.

Daydream

Allow yourself time to daydream regularly. This is so good for the soul!

Let go of labels

Notice when you are defining yourself by external labels and let them go.

Become less attached

What are you attached to? There’s nothing wrong with enjoying things in life, but when you become attached, you rely on something external to make you happy, which traps the mind.

Practice gratitude

Being grateful allows you to live in the present and see the blessings in front of you right now.

Read Roc’s Rules

Reading quotes that inspire you can help put your thoughts into a different context.

Make a commitment to keep learning

Learning helps you to expand your mind, which can help you achieve a more enlightened and informed point of view.

Use positive affirmations

You are affirming all the time by the way you think and talk. “Things never go my way” is a negative affirmation, for example. You could replace such a thought with a positive affirmation such as “things are working out perfectly”. Using positive affirmations helps you to make better choices and see things from a different and more positive perspective.

Practice putting yourself in other people’s shoes

Reading, listening, and discussing opinions different from your own can open your mind and help you to see life from different perspectives. This can be particularly freeing if you are stuck in thinking about certain things in a particular way.