Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

Use ABC Method with Distractions and Interruptions

SunFern February 21st, 2018

Distractions are an inevitable part of your day. Even if you attempt to reduce potential distractions, your thoughts, emotions, and unexpected interruptions can pull you away from what you are doing and disrupt your flow.

However, you can teach your brain to automatically stop distractions from throwing you off track and hijacking your focus using a simple mindfulness technique call the ABC method.

When you notice a distraction, begin with the A of the ABC Method.

A represents awareness. This allows you to pause whatever youre doing at the moment and recognize the distraction. You might say to yourself, Here is a distraction, and I have a choice to make.

B stands for breathing deeply and reflecting on your options. Do you want to deal with the distraction or interruption right now or dismiss it?

C stands for choosing mindfully how you want to handle the distraction. If you choose to dismiss it, you simply refocus your attention on the task at hand. If you decide to address the distraction or interruption, you are doing so consciously, rather than automatically allowing it to derail you.

source

5
HereComesTheSun7 February 21st, 2018

It sounds like a very helpful method! Thank you for sharing!

AlwaysEli February 22nd, 2018

Thank you for this post, all too often we find ourselves stuck in a difficult situation and being aware is very important. You make choices every day. What to eat, how to dress, and most of all how to react to situations that may be a challenge to us. We can CHOOSE to proceed with the situation mindfully through breathing practices, and the use of DBT and mindfulness . You can choose to distract, whether that be to walk outside and feel fresh air or to watch your favourite show or something else. This is awesome. Great post.

MistyMagic February 24th, 2018

As easy as A B C!! thanks!

ASilentObserver March 3rd, 2018

@SunFern This is really awesome Post. Sun. Loved the ABC of Distractions :D Thank you for sharing with us.

RumpleSteeleSkin March 3rd, 2018

@SunFern

HIya Sunnie this is a wonderful postsmileyyes I actually do this at times but not as much as I should. When I first was taught this the instructor said" If you can't remember what to to on this skill remember STOP-DROP AND ROLL"

I like this skill cause it teaches us to slow down and not react to fast. We also have the quick choice on what we like to do to distract ourselves and then refocus. I think Im going to use this skill this weekheart