Stay Out of Your Head

I get asked this all the time; “How do I stay out of my head?” Cultivating a way to get beyond what your head is telling you and trying to find a more peaceful path can be trying. I think it is because the solution is so simple. Be Mindful, stay in the now! When we begin to enter our heads with anxiety, stress, and worry, chances are we dwelling on the past, or we may be worried about the future. Keep in mind this keeps us from enjoying the moment and walking in peace. 

Staying out of your head means trying to come to terms with what the past has happened. No matter what you do, no matter what you don't do, you cannot change the past, and the future has not happened, so take a deep breath and practice patience and willingness. If you stay in the moment there is a big chance that you will not be able to dwell on negative thoughts. 

I know it is easier said than done. You can work through it by trying to focus on what is right in front of you. Look around you and notice how you feel. Listen to the sounds around you. Is it quiet or are there loud noises? Listen to your breathing. Are you breathing in deeply and exhaling? Be in your body at this very moment. You will be amazed at how focused you are on what is surrounding you rather than what is going on in your head. 

Now, try to surrender the clutter, that unwanted junk, and those thoughts going on in your head. You may have a “loop” of a painful memory or something that made you angry. Simply tell yourself you surrender these thoughts and attempt to bring yourself back into the now. You can stop that broken record by tapping on yourself. This is so easy, and we never think of doing it. Tapping on a body part like your leg, your arm, the side of your head, all these things bring you back to the now, the current. I look at tapping as a reset button. Here is the trick. You need to tap yourself in the same place every time because it becomes automatic, and this reset tells you to stay in the now.

I think the easiest way to stay focused on the now is by breathing. Just breathe! Your breath does not hold onto the past and does not take you into the future. In fact, if you pay attention, your breath will keep you focused on the very second. Focus on breathing in and out and how each breath moves you into the now and calms you. When all else fails, just breathe in the now, breathe out the past, and relax. Dwelling in our heads serves no purpose; it is a habit we create. Just remember you only have to be in the present now. Do what is right in front of you, focus on the here and now, and watch how easy it is to step outside your head and stay focused.