How do I stop the thoughts that seem to take on a life of their own?

I struggle with intrusive thoughts, and, sometimes even voices. I have achieved lasting recovery from the worst of them through a series of techniques: - Fitness + Mindfulness: Anxiety, Blood Pressure, Depression, Mood, Oxygen, Sugar, Hormone levels All play a part in the body's response to psychological human stress. Forcing physical stress on the body through fitness has shown to train the body to respond to mental stress more healthily, and also boosts needed neuroreceptor levels in the brain. You also learn to feel your body, which is key to determining where in your body you can most easily feel anxiety, fear, anger, etc. -Meditation is also a key practice. 7 minutes of a recorded breath meditation a day is plenty, but the key to stopping the thoughts is to first recognize them as soon as possible. If able, notice what triggers these thoughts. -Professional/Clergy assistance: Take what you learn about your intrusive thoughts to a psychologist, therapist, or a holy person near you who you trust, and have them help you decipher the root cause -Create a Practice: I used daily affirmations, meditation, writing, and exercise (+ medication) to stay balanced, and to directly treat the root cause the psychologist helped me see. Recovery is possible!!

First of all, distraction can be really important. It allows us to stop, or slow this thought cycle. When you feel as though your thoughts have stopped or have slowed down enough you can then begin to look at the thoughts more objectively. There may be a solution to these thoughts, and there may not be. At the very least being distracted can give your mind a short break so it is better equipped to control the thoughts if they return.

Well, look at yourself in the mirror. Cry it all out then just breath in and breath out. Say positive things to yourself everyday while looking at yourself in the mirror. Distract your mind while doing other activities.

Try not responding to the thoughts because if you do talk back then you are actually empowering the voice. It can be difficult but know it will pass. Maybe this is due to overthinking or feeling anxious about something but it will be ok.

You need to take a moment and just let them be. Analyze them as if they are an experiment and try to figure out the reason for them and why they seem to be dominating your thoughts. Try practicing retraining your brain, and counteract these thoughts with facts. Like if you tell yourself that you are a bad person, remind yourself what you are proud of in your life and the good traits you like about yourself. Try to be logical and not let the emotional part of the thoughts keep you from being truthful to yourself.

Hello, I felt the same, I recommend you to have a activity that distracts you from those thought, physical exercise helps a lot.

I play the piano and I sing to get my thoughts somewhere else. It's very relaxing. I will also listen to music.

A way to stop the thoughts is by gently reminding yourself of the goal you personally want to achieve & begin thinking of how it will be achieved. Distraction is form of resetting that will help block the negative or worrying thoughts that seem to take a life of their own. Recall how motivated you were when you initially established your goal and the time frame of when your goal will be accomplished. Surpass the blockade that is there, because reminding yourself of how far you have come and how much you have improved also helps to put thoughts in a optimistic order.

Thoughts feel so personal but you're right, they take on a life of their own. We feel like we 'do' thinking but its more like breathing, it can be voluntary or involuntary. It can be hard to stop these thoughts, the attempt just sort of fuels the fire. We can try though to observe them, create some distance between ourselves and the thoughts that come up. This too can be hard but it's something we can practice. By observing them we might notice recurring things that come up, we might notice they change based on circumstances or just by us giving them attention. With time you could find they slow down or there is more room for you to regain control of the direction these though go in. Hope this was of some help :)