Do you ever feel like your thoughts are controlling you instead of the other way around? If so, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Thoughts can often invade our minds and Control Your Mind and impact our perceptions of our surroundings and the realities of our lives.
However, there is a way to control them. The path to illumination is through mastery of the self, which begins with mastery over your own mind. In this article, you’ll learn seven strategies to help you gain control over your mind —and your life.
- Accept unwanted thoughts
We often spend a lot of time and energy trying to control our thoughts by pushing them out of our minds, but this can be exhausting. In fact, trying to push unwanted thoughts out ends up giving us even less control. When we try to push something away that’s there right in front of us, it makes it more noticeable.
This is the same concept as when someone tells you not to think about something; your mind automatically goes straight towards whatever you’re not supposed to think about!
It turns out that one of the best ways to manage unwanted thoughts is to accept them without judgment or criticism —they’re just like boats passing by on a river. Focus on the sensation of release and acceptance in your mind and heart, rather than on force and control.
2. Practice positive self-talk.
The thoughts we have about ourselves can impact everything from our confidence to the way we behave in social situations. When you hear a negative thought come up, try replacing it with something positive and realistic.
Challenge your limiting beliefs by asking yourself: “Is this really true?” If there’s evidence that supports what was said or an important lesson to be learned, then take note of those things but don’t dwell on them for too long —they’re just boats passing by while you remain in the present.
3. Approach things from a different angle.
Sometimes thoughts can hurt us before we even realize it, so it’s necessary to address the thought directly. In the same way you challenge your own limiting beliefs, you should challenge the thought by looking at things in a different light, or simply taking a step back and seeing the big picture.
When we become fixated on one way of looking at things, our minds close off other potential solutions or possibilities. By changing your perspective with an open heart, you might open yourself up to new possibilities that were hidden before.
4. Label intrusive thoughts.
One way to take control over your mind is by giving names to thoughts as they come up—especially if they’re negative or stressful. Labeling allows us to distance ourselves from the thought and see it for what it is: just a thought. Sometimes, compartmentalization is key.
5. Meditate
Meditation is an essential practice when learning how to control your mind. Whether it’s a quick guided meditation or an extended and in-depth session, meditation is the practice of controlling the mind. It will help you focus better, build mental stamina, and provide you with the tools necessary to master your mind in your daily life.
6. Utilize productive distractions
Like meditation, simply doing something with your hands gets you out of your head and right back to the present moment —it’s like humans were meant to use their hands. A silly (but totally useful) example would be if you’re too high on THC.
There are ways to counteract THC effects, but doing something with your hands —something as simple as washing them, taking a shower, or writing on paper— can often take away from the fear and anxiety of being too high, and have you feeling back to normal in time.
7. Write your thoughts down on paper
A great way to take control over your mind is by writing your thoughts down on paper. As soon as you think of something unwanted in your headspace, write it down!
This will help keep you focused and organized when it comes time for action. It also helps clear out space in the mind so other things can enter without competition or clutter —it’s like cleaning up a messy room before starting fresh!
Conclusion
It’s important to know that it’s not necessarily about whether you have intrusive thoughts or not, but rather what you do with them. If left unchecked and unmanaged, these types of thoughts can become unhealthy obsessions that cause anxiety and stress in our lives. By consistently following some simple strategies like those outlined above, you’ll be on your way to self-mastery.