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3 Simple (But Effective) Hacks on How to stop the Cycle of Negative Repetitive Thoughts

mindset
· 2 min read

I have been interested in stopping the Cycle of Negative Repetitive Thoughts for a long time.

And over the past 6 years, I have come across a lot of quick self-help fixes.

At first I agreed with them, and then the more I learned and educated myself the more I disagreed with them. Until eventually, I reached a point where I felt like the only reason these quick-fixes had become mainstream and commonly accepted was because “a lot of other people” agreed with them too.

So, I have some unique hacks I’d like to share on How to stop the Cycle of Negative Repetitive Thoughts after 10 000 hours immersing myself in the subject:

🔐 Mentally lock up your thoughts (and come back to them later)

#1: Imagine putting your racing thoughts into a safe and lock them up.

#2: Tell yourself that you will come back to them in the evening.

#3: Schedule a no more than 15 minute window in your calendar.

#4: In this window write down everything that comes up to your problem.

Source

From a mental coach with 30 years experience.

🔲 Box Breathing Technique (5 in - 5 hold - 5 out - 5 hold)

#1: Breathe in slowly while counting to 5.

#2: Hold your breath for 5 seconds.

#3: Breathe out while counting to 5.

#4: Hold your breath for 5 seconds.

Repeat.

Source:

Health

👏 Tap your chest, hum, roll your eyes (separate or simultaneously)

#1: Tap the upper chest area with your fingertips.

#2: While doing this hum so that the whole head vibrates.

#3: Combine it with smoothly rolling your eyes in circles.

#4: Look far out in the corner of your vision, while keeping the head straight.

Diagram showing eye movement pattern for EMDR self-coaching

Source:

How Does The Wingwave Coaching Work Health Balance Work

How to Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve for Better Mental Health

As a recap, you just learned

  1. You can lock your thoughts away to take care of the problem later.
  2. The box-breathing technique relaxes you and can be used anywhere and anytime.
  3. Humming, tapping, and eye circles are valuable tools to stop negative thinking.

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Sources

  1. Healthhealthline.com
  2. How Does The Wingwave Coaching Work Health Balance Workwingwave.com
  3. How to Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve for Better Mental Healthsass.uottawa.ca