How Do I Slow Down My Thoughts? (2024)


According to a particular study it was seen that close to 99% percent of the thoughts, in a human mind, tend to be repetitive, with just 1% space left for any original or new thought, if at all.

The reason thoughts become repetitive is because of the law of attraction that gets activated each time a thought arises. Each thought has the power to attract onto itself more thoughts like it and thus strengthen its momentum. Once a thought gathers momentum, it can almost create a wall of thoughts that ends up stifling any sense of spaciousness in your mind.

Bringing in more space between thoughts

The more conscious you are the more likely it is that your attention will not get pulled into each thought that arises. Remember that attention is the fuel that provides momentum, or energy, to each thought. The unconscious state of “consciousness” is when it’s lost in the mind, thus fueling each thought that arises and carrying the burden of a wall of thoughts with no space for real intelligence or creativity to seep in.

There are several techniques that people use to “still” their mind. Having practiced most of these techniques myself, I found that the bottom line of all these practices is to “control” the mind. There may be some temporary benefits to be had from these practices, but they don’t give you any sense of freedom because you are still “caught” in the mind trying to control it.

When I got exhausted of all these techniques and got tired of trying to control the mind, I simply let go of it all. I just allowed the mind to do what it wanted to do, and paradoxically the mind started becoming more and more silent when it was not resisted anymore. The secret to slowing down thoughts is to simply relax and let go of the mind completely, and let it do what it wants to do on its own. You move into a space of relaxed presence.

Moving from thinking to presence

There is an incredible amount of intelligence and wisdom, in the simple state of active presence. When you are simply “aware” without the need to “think”, you are in a state of radical intelligence and creativity. Awareness is the unconditioned intelligence that has the capacity to bring forth something “new” into your experience.

The mind, in its conditioned patterns of thinking, can never hope to create any true solutions because it’s operating from the same structures that created the problem in the first place. The mind is a good tool for mechanical processes but it’s completely useless when you want to come up with “solutions”. Only from the unconditioned intelligence of “pure awareness” can anything new be born, and solutions have to be “new” because they cannot come from the past patterns that created the problem.

The more “present” you are, the less active the mind tends to be. Becoming more present may seem like a “practice”, and in a way it is, but there’s more here than just a technique. Once you start realizing that who you are in essence is the “pure awareness” that is prior to all forms, you automatically start resting in this space more and more – not because you have to, but because you realize it to be your home, who you really are.

Your thoughts slow down as presence increases

To be lost in thoughts is the old state of consciousness; it’s highly mediocre and does no justice to the limitless potential that lies within each being. Who you are in essence is the same intelligence that created this world and this tremendous potential for limitless creation is lost when your consciousness becomes trapped in “conditioned” thinking.

The transformed, evolved, or new, state of consciousness is to move through life in a simple state of “pure awareness” without needing to interpret and label everything through the “conditioning” of the mind. Let the “awareness” talk, let the “awareness” work, let the “awareness” write, and listen, and watch.

Moving through the conditioned mind, is like watching life through tinted glasses. You will never have clear vision. You don’t need these glasses, so just let go them and come to pure vision. The unconditioned intelligence of pure awareness has the capacity to transform your entire reality and it does so without creating any conflict in the totality.

Your mind will automatically start resting more and more, as it allows the intelligence of “pure awareness” to take over from it. You will notice that the pace of your noisy thoughts is slowing down and a silent intelligence is working in your life.


How Do I Slow Down My Thoughts? (2024)

FAQs

How Do I Slow Down My Thoughts? ›

People may be able to stop racing thoughts with steps such as deep breathing, distraction techniques, and exercise. Medication and psychotherapy may be necessary in chronic cases. Racing thoughts are thoughts that come quickly, one after the other. They may relate to one subject or many different ones.

How do I let my thoughts flow? ›

  1. Practice mindfulness. ...
  2. Accept when things are out of your control. ...
  3. Intentionally enter a “flow” state. ...
  4. Stay flexible with your schedule. ...
  5. Practice self-compassion. ...
  6. Use your breath. ...
  7. Accept your feelings. ...
  8. Remember to play.

How to slow down the speed of thoughts? ›

People may be able to stop racing thoughts with steps such as deep breathing, distraction techniques, and exercise. Medication and psychotherapy may be necessary in chronic cases. Racing thoughts are thoughts that come quickly, one after the other. They may relate to one subject or many different ones.

How can I slow my thinking down? ›

Practicing mindfulness can help change your thought patterns. For instance, try counting your breaths. Close your eyes and count to yourself as you take slow, steady breaths: count one on the inhale, two on the exhale, etc. When you reach 10, start over and repeat the process until you calm down.

Why can't I control my thoughts? ›

Often, inputs from the environment set off a series of thoughts—and your outside world is also something out of your control. One study in Frontiers in Psychology in 2018, found that conscious thoughts could be easily triggered by external forces—such as being asked not to think about something.

How do I stop unwanted thoughts from coming continuously into my mind? ›

Here are ten practical tips to help you manage intrusive thoughts so they don't end up ruining your day (or life).
  1. Keep your routine regular. ...
  2. Stick to a balanced diet. ...
  3. Practice mindfulness meditation. ...
  4. Explore Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) ...
  5. Try visualization techniques. ...
  6. Spend quality time with pets or animals.
Jul 12, 2023

How do I activate slow thinking? ›

First, "slow-thinking" is really just a different way of expressing your thinking and you should begin by leaning into it rather than leaning away. Take time, allow yourself to pause to collect your thoughts. People often interpret quietness (not filler) as intelligence and maturity (because usually it is).

How to calm an overactive mind? ›

Slow Your Breath, Slow Your Mind

Try this: Place a hand on your heart and feel its rhythm. Breathe in deep for 4 seconds, then take a long, slow breath out. Repeat this pattern until you can feel your heartbeat slow down. Your thoughts should soon ease up as well.

Why are my thoughts too fast? ›

What Causes of Racing Thoughts? Bipolar disorder is one potential cause, but racing thoughts and flight of ideas can occur with conditions including major depression and anxiety disorders. 3 That's why talking to a doctor or mental health professional about what you are experiencing is so important.

How do you slow down over thinking? ›

How to stop overthinking: 8 strategies
  1. Take deep breaths. Close your eyes and breathe in and out slowly. ...
  2. Find a distraction. Distractions help you forget what's troubling you. ...
  3. Look at the big picture. ...
  4. Acknowledge your successes. ...
  5. Embrace your fears. ...
  6. Start journaling. ...
  7. Live in the moment. ...
  8. Ask for help.
Jun 9, 2023

How can I train my mind to think less? ›

6 Effective Ways to Clear Your Mind
  1. Positive Effects of Being More Mindful.
  2. How to Be More Mindful.
  3. Practice Meditation.
  4. Cultivate Mindfulness.
  5. Engage in Expressive Writing.
  6. Distract Yourself.
  7. Connect With Friends.
  8. Avoid Co-Ruminating.
Nov 28, 2023

How to train your brain to stop worrying? ›

8 ways to overcome chronic worrying
  1. Schedule your worry time. ...
  2. Practice mindfulness. ...
  3. Try a body scan to release tension. ...
  4. Practice gratitude to counterbalance worry. ...
  5. Limit your exposure to stressors. ...
  6. Share your worries with someone you trust. ...
  7. Set realistic expectations for yourself. ...
  8. Accept what you can't control.
Oct 19, 2023

How do I completely control my thoughts? ›

7 WAYS TO CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS
  1. UNDERSTAND THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION. Understanding how to control your mind begins with realizing that you are in full control of your state. ...
  2. EMBRACE THE MOMENT. ...
  3. SHIFT YOUR FOCUS. ...
  4. PRACTICE MEDITATION. ...
  5. USE PRIMING. ...
  6. VISUALIZE. ...
  7. RECOGNIZE YOUR LIMITING BELIEFS.

How to stop thoughts in mind? ›

These tips can help you move in the right direction.
  1. Step back and look at how you're responding. ...
  2. Find a distraction. ...
  3. Take a deep breath. ...
  4. Meditate. ...
  5. Look at the bigger picture. ...
  6. Do something nice for someone else. ...
  7. Recognize automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) ...
  8. Acknowledge your successes.
Jul 3, 2024

How to stop overthinking? ›

Self-help strategies like distracting yourself and challenging your thoughts can help. If overthinking is taking a toll on your well-being, consider talking to a mental health professional. They can help you develop the mental tools and coping skills you need to prevent overthinking.

How to let your mind flow freely? ›

  1. Realize that you can't control everything. I think we all know this at some level, but the way we think and act and feel many times contradicts this basic truth. ...
  2. Become aware. ...
  3. Breathe. ...
  4. Get perspective. ...
  5. Practice. ...
  6. Baby steps. ...
  7. Laugh. ...
  8. Keep a journal.

How do you let your thoughts pass through? ›

Tips to manage intrusive thoughts
  1. Mindfulness meditation. ...
  2. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) ...
  3. Remember, 'This too shall pass' ...
  4. Visualization techniques. ...
  5. Spend time with a pet. ...
  6. Externalize the thought. ...
  7. Ground yourself in the present. ...
  8. Take a walk in nature.
Apr 11, 2022

How do I get my mind into flow state? ›

Choose an activity that you find intrinsically rewarding that you become immersed in, as this is the most likely to trigger the flow state. Some examples could be cooking, gardening, hiking, running, swimming, gaming, yoga, painting, crafts, and so on. Make sure to carve out enough time.

How do I let go of heavy thoughts? ›

7 Ways to Lift Yourself Out of Heavy Thoughts
  1. Catch Your Negativity Early. ...
  2. Avoid External Stressors. ...
  3. Develop a Supportive Inner Dialogue. ...
  4. Keep Company with Positive, Optimistic People. ...
  5. Try a “Thought Replacement” Strategy. ...
  6. Practice Being Centered and Detached. ...
  7. Get “Sticky” Emotions to Move.
May 17, 2017

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