Moderated by
Lindsay Scheinerman, MA, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
My work with clients is to help them recognize and build on their strengths to find solutions for the conflicts presented in their lives.
Top Rated Answers
Be mindful of your thoughts. When you feel overwhelmed, find something superficial to focus on, whether through quiet meditation, a mantra, or some repetitive physical activity. I find that walking a path around my house and forcing myself to simply observe every tree and rock without allowing myself to think in words calms me down and helps me focus on whatever it is I really want to get done.
Anonymous
May 13th, 2017 4:34pm
It may be a long journey, but of course your thoughts will slow down. My thoughts used to keep me awake at night. I would cry and cry just out of frustration because I could not get my brain to be quiet. After a lot of trial and error, I can finally fall asleep and stay asleep! It gets better I promise.
You have a lot on your mind. This happens when your brain is processing multiple tasks and thoughts and once. You need to clear your mind. Yes, it is hard, but it is achievable. Usually, you can by sniffing a smell that is mind clearing (lavender, coffee, fresh air, etc.) or distracting you with a calming activity like reading and meditating. If you are religious, pray and do religious activities that will distract you away from your troubles. Take deep breaths and don't be so hard on yourself.
Anonymous
June 24th, 2017 9:14am
That is an understandable issue it is probably due to overthinking, you should try to take a few seconds each day to remind yourself you are only human and not everything will always be perfect
Anonymous
July 1st, 2017 12:35pm
There are a lot of reasons why people can find it hard to switch off, some medical, some mental. It's important to reach out to professional help when you're finding it hard or noticing it effect your life. It's a big step but worth it
(science-nerd answer!)
It's not supposed to! Our brains are kind of amazing; if they slowed down too much we wouldn't be able to function!
I think what you're referring to though is overthinking; like when we have so many thoughts it's just overwhelming? In this case it's anxiety - basically our brains trying to cope the best way we know how. It actually comes from our mammalian response like flight/fight - basically we're trying to survive with all the dangers and fears (even if they aren't that real or scary).
Hope this helps!
I used to have this little mantra when I was frustrated with my anxiety brain. I kept thinking "I wish I could derail my train of thought." I just wanted my thoughts to stop spinning and spinning. I found that meditation and grounding exercises helped sooo much. I really like meditating with crystals. I used to wear 2 necklaces; a moonstone and a bloodstone. My bloodstone was to help ground me, it was to fight the anxiety, and my moonstone was for courage and ambition, to fight my depression.
If you've never tried a grounding exercise, you can do them anywhere. Just breathe to your belly and identify 3-5 things for the 5 senses. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? etc.
Anonymous
October 14th, 2017 3:45am
Brains are funny little things. Usually our brains go into overdrive when we experience panic or are feeling overwhelmed or distressed by life events or occurances. A good way to slow down your brain is by taking some deep breaths and thinking of somewhere you’d like to be, that could be anywhere in the world! I also find it’s good to cuddle a pet if you have one or maybe just call up a good friend for a casual chat. Sometimes a distrction can help but not always. When your brain is running 400mph it feels as if it’s gonna fall out of your ears and can even give you panic attacks sometimes. But do not fear, it’s all just a symptom of panic and it will pass. Just sit down quietly and say to yourself “Okay panic, (or whatever is troubling you at that moment) when you are done, I will continue with what I was doing.â€
This exercise is great because it’s not only almond and reassuring to people, it’s good to speak the words aloud to yourself!
Brains are odd. And they like to run around sometimes and cause us havoc. But no fear. 7 cups is here to help if the going gets too tough!
Anonymous
November 17th, 2017 1:49am
Take time to breathe. It’ll do wonders to calm everything down. Inhale and exhale. Hope this helps!
Anonymous
November 19th, 2017 8:28pm
Maybe you can’t stop thinking because you are a very nervous person, or something is worrying you, so you can’t stop thinking about it
Anonymous
December 6th, 2017 3:29am
For this. I did . Al the thoughts going on in your head right now, won't forever. Things will take the time they take and patience is a virtue that builds. The best way to let go is to learn to grow strong.
An exercise? How about we breathe. And take deep deep breaths? Life doesn't ever go as 'expected'.
But we can always work our way through it.
Anonymous
December 9th, 2017 6:49pm
Sometimes people overthink and that is okay. When we are not occupied our minds can get over reacted with thoughts and easily distracted. If this happens you could try listening to some music, talking to someone or reading :)
Neuroscience research has shown that your brain performs the same speed throughout the day. If you feel that your mind is racing with its thoughts all the time, perhaps, some mindful exercises or if it's serious, consider going to a professional.
Your mind tends to race when you are stressed or uneasy. The hormones associated with environmental or emotional stress can speed up your thoughts, resulting in anxiety. Taking time to recognize what specific challenges are causing you distress can be the first step to slowing down.
Anonymous
January 20th, 2018 10:17pm
Because you take a lot upon yourself and hence stress yourself. If you want your brain to function in the right direction, start taking deep breaths. It will slow down your brain and give you space and time to think
Because there are just too many things for you to worry about! Try and slow down! Tell yourself it will all be okay. Try and find something that can distract you for a bit! Whether it being to read a book, write in a journal, or just watch a movie!
Anonymous
February 1st, 2018 8:09pm
I understand what you mean by that, it could be due to stress and a lot going on in your life if there is. Sometimes it could be that you're anxious as well!
Anonymous
February 28th, 2018 12:01pm
It is preoccupied and overwhelmed with something that has yet to be satisfactorily dealt with. This is a tricky situation to find yourself in, and often difficult to solve. I have found in the past that carving out time in your day or week for yourself is absolutely key. Treat yourself with kindness, and you will eventually feel comfortable and safe enough to tackle whatever it is which is causing your brain to go into overload mode. You must first assure your mind and body that you have the strength and time to tackle whatever is worrying you.
Because you have to much stuff going on in your brain. Please start writing those thoughts down like I do. I then email them to my therapist and we discuss them.
There can be a few reasons, there is a lot going on in your life and your brain is wired to “fix†problems, so your thoughts are constantly flowing, thinking if solutions to these problems. Next, ADD is a possibility! When you have ADD your mind races and your thoughts are jumping everywhere, you are in a constant manicy state.
The human brain is wired for learning, reviewing and other cognitive functions. It is prone to making up stories, replaying the past, overthinking the present and fretting about the future. Overthinking can make us miss out on what's right in front of us. Overthinking can make the brain run our lives if we aren't careful! With mindfulness, we can better control our thoughts, feelings, emotions, and reactions better. Mindfulness can ease anxiety, stress and combat overthinking; it can help us live with focus and intention. One of the most important functions of mindfulness is the focus on the present helping us fully live right now. 7 Cups offer great resources on mindfulness.
Anonymous
April 1st, 2018 12:51am
Racing thoughts or a brain that won't slow down is a symptom of anxiety. It is important you talk to someone about this and they can help you clear your brain and think easier. :)
Anonymous
April 15th, 2018 12:02pm
you could just be stressed about things going on in your life, maybe try to wind down like relax with your best friends or take a relaxing shower
I have the same exact problem. Brains are meant to work through things, to devour information and create answers. You have to teach your brain to slow down and allow you to relax.
You could have too many things you are thinking about and you could be stressed out over things that cause you to worry too much
I deal with anxiety and I have ADHD so my brain is always very active. I accept it for how it is and try to channel that energy into something productive.
I see my brain as a computer, sometimes it goes into overdrive when I try to process to much information. Slow down.
Anonymous
June 22nd, 2018 7:35pm
Sometimes when you have things bothering you it's hard to switch off. Mindfulness helps to slow down and do so though. Also eating and drinking late at night (especially sugar and caffeine) won't help this feeling.
you may have an overactive mind. This can be caused by many things such as stress and not allowing yourself enough down time to enjoy yourself.
Anxiety can be a big reason for when your mind is all over the place. Anxiety is a natural human emotion, stemming from evolution, and we still carry it with us today. Anxiety becomes disordered when you find it making a large negative impact on your life, and if it is doing so, contact mental health proessional.
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