10 Amazing Ways To Control Your Thoughts And Change Your Mindset

You’re trying so hard to concentrate on your work but somehow you can’t stop thinking about your breakup a few weeks ago or maybe you want to think about a hopeful future rather than the depressed one.

In essence, you want to control your mind and change the direction of your unwanted thoughts, right?

I can understand that unwanted thoughts cause a lot of distress and you’re not alone in wanting to bid them farewell. It’s okay for these unwanted thoughts to intrude when you’re stressed or facing a challenge.

While I can’t help you with actual mind control (let science-fiction take lead on that), I can help you learn how to control your thoughts and change your mindset.

Below are 10 amazing ways that can help you control your mind, not literally.

10 Ways To Control Your Mind

1. Identify The Unwanted Thoughts

The first thing you need to do before you can think of controlling your thoughts is to identify and understand them. Almost all of us experience distressing thoughts now and then and if you’re currently going through some challenging times, then you might find it harder to control your thoughts.

Occasional unwanted and intrusive thoughts are normal but can be equally distressing. How to know if your thought patterns are troubling? Look at these signs:

• Ruminating thoughts
• Negative self-talk
• Cognitive biases
• Pessimism

2. Accept These Unwanted Thoughts

The more you avoid them, the more pronounced these thoughts would become. Pushing your unwanted thoughts away in an attempt to get rid of them is not the right way. Instead, do the opposite. Accept them as they are, without judgment.

If you’re feeling low despite doing everything right for yourself, accept it. Tell yourself that even though nothing is going right, there’s only so much you can do and control the situation.

Accepting these thoughts can help you confront them and find a resolution for them. Don’t let unwanted thoughts ruin your perspective and mindset. You can change them if you acknowledge them.

3. Meditate On It

Now here’s something that can help you a lot when it comes to accepting your thoughts. Meditation may seem like it won’t do much or will increase the intensity of the thoughts but this is the best way to learn to control your mind and thoughts but only if you stick with the practice.

What others don’t tell you is that meditation is not about clearing your mind, it’s all about learning how to sit in peace with your thoughts and let them be. When you learn to do that, your unwanted thoughts lose control over you.

Mindfulness meditation can help. Once you’ve become mindful, you’ll find that distressing thoughts are no longer needed to pull you away from the present. There are many other benefits to meditation that you should check out!

4. Change Your Outlook

The way you talk to yourself and look at a situation can also help you control your thoughts and change your mindset. Try repositioning yourself when it comes to an outlook and become an outside observer to your thoughts.

How? Try to view a situation from a third-person point of view and see the big picture. Changing your point of view also helps in exploring your feelings and thoughts impartially. Changing your outlook can help your mind give you the space you need to distance yourself from your challenges.

5. Focus On The Positive

Another technique that can help control your thoughts is positive reframing. Positive thinking is more than just thinking there’s nothing wrong. It’s about looking on the bright side of things.

Reframing cannot change the outcome but it can help you change the way you feel about the outcome. For example; you fell and fractured your leg before an important presentation. This might leave you feeling angry and disappointed and you’ll likely blame yourself for your failure.

Here, you can try self-compassion. Let yourself understand that you didn’t get hurt worse and that you’ll now be careful. Be kind to yourself, no matter what happened.

6. Try Guided Imagery

Another way to control your mind from unwanted thoughts is using guided imagery. When you visualize a positive and calm place in your mind, it can help you calm your mindset and take control back.

Once you feel calm, you can have better control of your thoughts and mindset. To start, you can do this simple exercise:

Step 1: Sit comfortably and close your eyes

Step 2: Take slow and deep breaths. Continue this breathing throughout when you create your visual

Step 3: Create a visual in your mind using your senses. Think of your happy place and incorporate your five senses in that visual

Step 4: Now imagine wandering in that visual and take notice of each detail carefully

Step 5: Continue breathing slowly and deeply, letting the peace of your vision wash over you.

Step 6: Spend at least ten minutes in the visual. With another few deep breaths, end the exercise

7. Write Down Your Thoughts

Expressing your distressing thoughts by writing them down can also help you change your perspective and get rid of the unwanted thoughts too. Killing two birds with one stone, right?

When you write down your thoughts, you acknowledge their presence. You can also try doing meditation and then 10 minutes of journaling after. Combine two techniques to find the source of your unwanted thoughts.

Journaling can also help you observe your thought patterns and see how you’re contributing to them. This way you can learn where and how to work on changing your thought pattern.

8. Healthy Distractions Help

Distractions are not always helpful. Especially when you’re in an important meeting. Although, in some circumstances, healthy distractions can help redirect your thoughts and control your mind. Some distractions can also help you increase motivation and productivity.

For example; when you’re feeling down, try to read a book, clean your room, or sort through your donation box.

Other healthy distractions that can help you can include:

• Spending time with friends and family
• Listening to relaxing music
• Going on a walk

Make sure these distractions are temporary and not permanent solutions to your unwanted thoughts.

9. Don’t Forget Stress Management

Stress and anxiety can contribute a whole lot to your unwanted thoughts. And when that happens, it can become overwhelming. One of the ways to take control of your mind is to practice stress management.

See what triggers your negative thoughts and remove them, if necessary. It’s not possible to remove all triggers but you can work on reducing their control over your thoughts.

Take some time for self-care – not just physical but mental and emotional too. Here are some ideas:

• Get enough sleep
• Eat healthily
• Increase social connections
• Take mental health breaks

10. Seek Professional Help

Taking control of your mind may not be as easy for some. If the above ways are not helping you, then your unwanted thoughts might be because of some underlying mental health conditions. Unwanted and intrusive thoughts can be a symptom of:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Obsessive and compulsive disorders
• Grief
• Prolonged sadness

If you’re struggling with such conditions or if your thoughts are interfering with your daily life, then it is recommended that you seek professional help. A therapist can help you explore the underlying issues and come up with healthy coping techniques.

Writer’s Thoughts

When I say control your mind, I’m not talking of a science fiction book or a movie (we’ll leave that to the professionals) but when I say control your mind, I’m talking about controlling your thoughts and taking charge of your mindset.

Trust me, you don’t have to be psychic to take control of your mind. All you need is some practice and the power to accept your thoughts.

If you’re still experiencing trouble controlling your thoughts, then you can seek professional help. I hope this article on how to control your thoughts will help you take back control of your mind and change your mindset.

For queries, you can contact us at info@calmsage.com. If this blog helped you or if any of the above ways helped you control your unwanted thoughts, let us know in the comments below.

Take Care!