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Constantly thinking of negative thoughts, causing the body to be unable to relax, how to shift one's focus?

unpleasant content brain activation sensitivity to life psychological distress focus redirection
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Constantly thinking of negative thoughts, causing the body to be unable to relax, how to shift one's focus? By Anonymous | Published on December 18, 2024

Constantly thinking about unpleasant content, which excites the brain more with each thought, leading to heightened sensitivity to certain aspects of life, causing the body to be unable to relax and resulting in psychological distress. Wanting to shift focus and stop thinking about these things, but the more one thinks about it, the harder it is to control, and it becomes even more complex and unnatural. So, how can one redirect attention away from these thoughts? Detailed explanation please.

Ida Ida A total of 9901 people have been helped

Hello, I am a place of peace.

From what you've shared, it seems like you're struggling to relax because your mind keeps returning to negative thoughts. It's understandable that you're seeking a way to distract yourself from these thoughts.

Before answering your question, I would like to invite you to play a little game with me. This is a game that my psychology teacher used to play with us. If you wouldn't mind, please close your eyes and try not to think of a "big red elephant."

If I may ask, what do you see when you close your eyes? I believe it may be a big red elephant.

This is what is known as the "ironic rebound effect": it seems that the more we force ourselves not to think about something, the more we think about it than usual.

If I might suggest a potential solution, it would be to try the breathing relaxation technique.

If I may suggest, you could begin by practicing this method in a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. Once you have become proficient, you may wish to practice it at any time and in any place.

If you would be so kind, please sit or stand comfortably, place your hands at your sides, relax naturally, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and inhale deeply through your nose, exhaling slowly through your mouth.

When inhaling, it may be helpful to imagine the gas entering the body through the nose, passing through the chest cavity, and reaching the abdomen. Similarly, when exhaling, it can be beneficial to visualize the gas starting in the abdomen, passing through the chest cavity, and finally being released into the air through the nose.

If you allow yourself to do so, you may find it helpful to feel the flow of the air and the rise and fall of your body with each breath.

If your mind is filled with thoughts from years past, it is perfectly normal. Simply bring your attention back to the present moment. Each time you lose concentration, it is an opportunity to become aware and experience the return of your attention.

You might also consider counting your breaths, setting a target in advance, such as 10 or more. After counting to the target number, you could then open your eyes slowly.

There are, of course, many other ways to relax the body and distract the mind. I have introduced one relatively simple method here. If you are interested, you might like to try mindfulness exercises or meditation.

I hope this is helpful for you.

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Julianna Young Julianna Young A total of 6228 people have been helped

Hello. From what you've said, I can see you're going through a tough time.

I'm a psychological counselor, and I'd like to share my understanding from a psychological perspective.

You asked:

The thoughts you dwell on are not beneficial. These thoughts excite the brain, making you more sensitive to certain things in life. This can lead to difficulty relaxing your body and experiencing psychological distress. The content you mentioned, which you may consider unacceptable, is likely the content you find difficult to accept. This could be related to sex, as there are certain topics in psychology that are challenging to address, including money, death, and sex.

I try to distract myself from thinking about it, but the more I think about it, the more I can't control it. The more I think about it, the more complicated and unnatural it becomes. So how do I distract myself from thinking about it? Well, since you can't accept your own thoughts, it will trigger a conscious level of anti-coercion, which will lead to conflict, unconscious curiosity, and excitement triggered by the inner self.

Not knowing about these changes can cause problems. This is something that happens a lot during the teenage years (ages 12-18), when kids are figuring out who they are. Without the right support, it's easy to feel confused about who you are.

Since your question is pretty vague, I'll give you my take based on what I think you're asking.

First, get to know yourself. What you think is bad might be related to your upbringing, social background, environment, and personality traits.

If it's a topic related to sex during the growth process, it's important for adolescents to understand it. They can learn about it in school biology classes, ask their parents, or read about it online. It's also crucial for us to understand ourselves better, including the physiological changes of the opposite sex, such as the development of secondary sexual characteristics, masturbation, nocturnal emission, and sexual fantasies or urges.

These are all normal things that happen during puberty and are caused by hormones.

Second, accept yourself. When we're curious but unable to seek help, we'll feel ashamed inside and look for answers on websites or in books, which will cause strong conflicts within us.

This means learning to express yourself. You can also look for professional psychological counseling in a safe environment to understand the unconscious expression behind these thoughts and conflicts. Only by accepting yourself can you become a better version of yourself and explore your confusion. These are all problems that can be solved.

Third, learn to love yourself. Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory basically says that the most basic needs are food, sleep, and sex. These are our physiological needs, and they can be expressed, understood, and explored.

You can also explore sexual psychology in biology class or with peers of the same age. There's no right or wrong, and it's a topic you can express and discuss. When you learn to understand your needs and accept yourself, you can be a better version of yourself.

I love you, and I think the world would love you too if you learned to love yourself. I'm here to help you explore your curiosity and grow together with your inner self. Let's do this together!

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Isabella Lopez Isabella Lopez A total of 8213 people have been helped

Good day, landlord. I can appreciate the emotional state you're currently in, based on your description. I hope that my input can help you find a way out of your current situation, but you have a different perspective.

As you outlined in the article, there is a discrepancy between what the mind thinks and what reality is. It is therefore easy for us to become fantasized about, as fantasies can bring excitement and intimacy.

Then we evaluate the unreal against reality and find that the latter is unsatisfactory.

This ultimately results in negative emotional responses and significant discomfort.

While fantasy can be a beautiful thing, reality can often be harsh.

It is important to recognize that regardless of whether we are engaged in fantasy or down-to-earth pursuits, we must acknowledge that we are currently situated in the present.

If one wishes to make life less pleasant or to cause oneself unhappiness, it is necessary to compare the imaginary with the real.

When expectations are not met, it can lead to significant distress.

It is essential to move forward and recognize that fantasies are merely fantasies. To achieve success, it is vital to adopt a down-to-earth and practical approach.

We can provide you with scientific insight into the matter you are considering. Let us leverage the power of science to help you overcome some of your challenges.

When faced with negative thoughts, we can utilize meditation as a tool to achieve a state of calmness and clarity of mind. This allows us to identify potential issues and explore solutions with a more objective perspective.

Please be advised that the following are my thoughts on the matter.

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Comments

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Gilmore Davis Time is a gift, open it with care.

It sounds like you're going through a tough time with persistent negative thoughts. One way to redirect your attention is by engaging in activities that you find enjoyable or fulfilling, which can help shift your focus and bring some positivity into your life. Over time, this might help reduce the intensity of those unwanted thoughts.

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Roosevelt Anderson Forgiveness is a way to show that we are a force for good in the world.

Finding a distraction can be really helpful. Maybe pick up a hobby, read a book, or watch a movie that you've been meaning to get to. Sometimes just changing your environment, even for a short while, can offer a new perspective and give your mind a break from the cycle of negative thinking.

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Jesse Miller The enthusiasm of a teacher is the spark that kindles the fire of curiosity in students.

Mindfulness practices such as meditation or yoga can be incredibly effective. They teach you to observe your thoughts without judgment and let them pass without getting attached to them. This practice can create a mental space between you and your thoughts, making it easier to manage them.

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Melpomene Jackson Failure is the grit that polishes the diamond of success.

Talking to someone about what you're experiencing can also be beneficial. Sharing your feelings with a friend, family member, or a professional can provide relief and support. Sometimes just expressing what's on your mind can make it feel less overwhelming.

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Lydia Miller Failure is a chance to rewrite your story and aim for success.

Physical activity can play a significant role in improving your mood. Exercise releases endorphins, chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers and mood elevators. Regular physical activity can help you feel more relaxed and decrease symptoms of stress and anxiety.

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