How can I stop thinking and shut my brain off?

Well I wouldn't want to shut your brain off, but listening to calm music can change the way your brain functions and, being in a quiet area with minimal distractions. Moments of extended silence leads to over thinking, so fill up your free time with something.

The harder you try to stop thinking, the more you will be annoyed by your thoughts. Therefore, stop resisting the thoughts. Accept that they're there. Poof! Once you accept your thoughts you'll be surprised at how fast they go away.

There are two types of meditation: concentrative and non-directive. Concentrative meditation works by placing your conscious focus on a single object (i.e. your breath, a candle, a still image in your mind). By focusing on a single object, by becoming engrossed on a single object, the mind should become quieter.

One cannot shut our brain off, it's not how the brain works. However we can calm the mental chatter that we experience on a constant basis by meditation. A non religious meditation designed specifically to reduce stress and calm the mind would be a perfect aid to calming the thoughts.

I feel that breathing exercises help with any situation of overthinking/overworry. Try this gif below! http://33.media.tumblr.com/6c5ad329d49d3b20dcf47db25d11234d/tumblr_ntnb2crEfK1r7zaydo1_500.gif

There is a breathing exercise you can practice while you're in bed trying to fall asleep. 1-Breathe IN for 4 seconds. (pull deeply from your diaphragm)| 2-Hold that breath for 7 seconds. 3-Exhale slowly for 8 seconds. (it's recommended to exhale through your mouth, but do what's most comfortable). You will find this will quiet your mind and relax your body. You will notice your heart rate slowing down.

Meditation is really helpful for quieting the mind. Listening to one of the mindfulness exercises on 7 cups can help with that.

Your brain never shuts off. It is constantly on even though your asleep so you are still going.

In order to empty your mind, you need to have a pacific attitude toward your thoughts and keep calm and collected. If you try to fight against "having thoughts" you might happen to only stress yourself and lose energy. First of all, find the room you most enjoy to stay at, play a relaxing music or stay silent (the key is to choose what you prefer) and relax (sit, lay on your bed etc.), feel your whole body relaxing, close your eyes, smile... Once you are relaxed enough, start to dissipate your thoughts. They'll try to come over your mind and when you notice you are having them, interrupt them! Start paying attention only at your breath and keep going. When thoughts strike again, interrupt them again, watch them freeze and reinforce your attention only at your breath. By concentrating in nothing, you'll empty your mind and allow new things to come! Silent and relax~

Distracting yourself Is the best way to shut your brain off because if you are not doing anything, your brain will get bored and start to make you think about thoughts, mainly negative