Do you find yourself endlessly worrying and overthinking certain situations, even if they are out of your control? Does it feel like you can’t easily let go and move on from stressful events in life? If your answer is yes, then chances are you’ve been obsessing or ruminating about something. Obsessing or ruminating refers to when intrusive thoughts that cause distress become overwhelming, making it difficult for us to focus on anything else. Thankfully, there are ways to manage this behavior so we can gain a better sense of mental clarity and peace of mind. In this blog post, Aron Govil will be discussing the different strategies one can use to help stop obsessing over things!
Aron Govil On How To Stop Obsessing Over Things
Obsessing over things can be a difficult and frustrating experience, says Aron Govil. It is characterized by ruminating thoughts, intrusive worries, or doubts that persistently occupy a person’s mind. This can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety, and even depression.
Fortunately, there are ways to manage obsessive thinking patterns and reduce their intensity. The most effective approach involves using cognitive-behavioral strategies such as:
1. Becoming aware of triggers – People who tend to obsess often do not recognize the triggers that cause them to start obsessing in the first place. To manage this more effectively, it helps to pay closer attention to what happened right before you started obsessing and recognize how your emotions change as a result of those triggers. When you become aware of the triggers, you can focus on them and work to address them if necessary.
2. Challenging unhelpful thoughts – When an obsessive thought comes into your head, it is important to challenge it. Ask yourself questions such as: Is this really true? How else could I look at this situation? What are the chances that this will actually happen? Answering these questions can help put things into perspective and reduce the intensity of the obsession.
3. Reframing – If a particular worry or fear keeps coming back to your mind, then reframing it can be helpful in reducing its intensity. For example, instead of thinking, ‘I’m never going to get over this,’ try thinking, ‘I may not be able to fix this now but I can take steps to make it better in the future.’ Reframing your thoughts in this way can help give you a new perspective and make the obsession more manageable.
4. Practicing mindfulness – Mindfulness is a practice that helps to bring awareness to your thoughts and feelings without judgment or resistance. This means focusing on what is happening right now instead of ruminating on past experiences or worrying about the future. When practicing mindfulness, it can also be helpful to focus on things such as breathing exercises, positive affirmations, and calming visualizations.
5. Seeking professional help – If these strategies do not work, then seeking professional help can be beneficial. According to Aron Govil, a therapist or psychologist can help identify triggers and provide strategies for managing obsessive thinking patterns.
Aron Govil’s Concluding Thoughts
By using these cognitive-behavioral strategies, you can effectively manage obsessive thinking and reduce its intensity. It is important, as per Aron Govil, to remember that this process may take time, but with consistency and practice, it is possible to overcome the challenges of obsessing over things.