How to stop the CHATTER in the Head?

"I experience anxiety & depression, I am trying hard but unable to come out of it."

As he shared his story it reminded me of my own life when I went through both of these.

I had performance anxiety. It came from fear of losing or failing. I also felt I was not good enough. I lived in anxiety most of the time.

I went through depression because things never went the way I wanted them to. My thoughts were forever negative & overthinking became a pattern I was stuck in. I also experienced clinical depression a few times.

The root cause for both was simple

1. I felt I was not good enough

2. My mind started to run my life with negativity

I lost control of my own life. I could not differentiate that my mind was not me. Once we are stuck in a pattern it is almost impossible to break out of it. You start to believe that it is the reality.

The mind plays games & it is very tough to understand these games. I went through this for many years. Even if I broke the pattern, I would fall back into it.

The mind has everything to lose so it wants us to remain in the pattern. You can break the pattern by distancing yourself from the mind.

How to reduce the CHATTER in the head?

I struggled with this for many years till I found 5 simple ways to get rid of it.

1. Staying busy - This is the simplest one, if you don't have time to think, you wont. Working long hours is an easy way. Indulging in hobbies is another way.

2. Tiring yourself in the gym: Once the body tires, the mind also follows. Physical exercise also produces positive hormones, this reduces the negativity, which reduces the chatter too.

3. Writing: This is the most powerful way. You can write in a diary or on the phone. Put down every single thought for one week. After that there will be nothing more left inside the head. This will empty your head. This also will heal your wounds from the past & get clarity in life. Write down about your fears, failures & regrets.

4. Meditation- Observe thoughts & maintaining social distance with them. Keep doing it till thoughts stop bothering you. You can start with 30 minutes & slowly increase it. The thoughts vanish if you observe them. They are not real hence they vanish.

5. Mind games: The mind plays games with us. Triggers force us to get into the pattern & respond. The simplest way is to change the trigger or the response, is breaking the pattern. You can break the pattern by becoming mindful. Just do an activity before the trigger to distract your mind, this will stop the trigger. You can also change the response by distracting yourself with something else. Meeting people, going for a walk, listening to music, could help you change the trigger and response.

Do you experience anxiety or depression?

Where are you stuck?

Are you able to stop the chatter in your head?

#mind #mentalhealth

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