Switching off thoughts

How can I leave work at the end of the day and not have it swilling around in my head? There's a few things that help, a quick nap, exercise, a shower, music, but it doesn't totally clear my mind. Any suggestions?

Yes Phocas, hear me out now. Meditation. Which in essence is just extreme focus. Don't worry about the stereotypes, its not all about sitting in lotus position focusing your inner self. Its a logical process. Just allow your mind to focus in on something. Depending on your situation it could be anything a sound, picture, colors, even nothing at all. Ex. Close your eyes, sit with your back straight, and focus on the sound of the wind. Do not let your mind creep away from your particular focus to work, other obligations etc. just keep it there. Try it for a few minutes. Ultimately I think that it teaches your mind to live in the moment. Coming out of meditation feels amazing, I would explain it as a massage.. for the brain. You just tend to feel relaxed all over. I would suggest it... rambling over.

^Thank you, I like how you have descibed it

I'm struggling with exactly the same thing right now, Phocas.

After work I have found keeping a blog helpful, I write a lot of stuff down, and then I try to distill the positive stuff out of what I have written, and some of it helps put a more positive spin on things.

Reducing my caffiene intake takes the edge off my thoughts. When I am drinking lots of caffiene my thoughts become a runaway train.

Meditation does help, but I don't do it often enough.

I've found that my running helps me switch my thoughts to a more elemental level. In particular long runs and races. I run myself to the point of exhaustion and this reduces my thoughts down to very basic needs to drink to eat, to rest. Meditation through physical effort.

I suggest you research "Mindfulness". To me it's a state of mind where you are focused on the what is happening in the present moment when thoughts cease; your mind is quiet and alert. My thoughts are usually over-active but sometimes I experience mindfulness between thoughts and I just "watch" my feelings and senses. It usually happens unexpectedly when I become relaxed. For example when walking my mind stops thinking and I notice the sound of my footsteps on the path; or hear birds singing; or waves crashing to the shore; or I listen to myself breathing.

These quotes by J. Krishnamurti resonated with me:
"Understanding of the self only arises in relationship in watching yourself in relationship with people, ideas, and things, to trees, the earth, and the world around you. Relationship is the mirror in which the self is revealed. Without self-knowledge there is no basis for right thought and action."

"Can there be a feeling without thought? Can you ride a feeling without directing it, seeking to change it, calling it good or bad? Try it."

Same problem here, what's the point in having Monday off if I'm just going to spend it thinking about work on Tuesday.

I'm going to try the meditation thing too, hopefully will work as well for me as it has for you, phocas.

I totally agree with meditation. Alternatively, you can simply train yourself to be mindful. Always focus on the present moment. Give full attention to whatever you're doing or to whatever is around you. Don't think about it. Just see it as it is. Observe, in other words. Don't analyze. If you find it hard, you can always start by focusing on your breathing. Mindful breathing doesn't only increase focus, it also relaxes the body and improves vitality. The more often you do it, the easier it gets over time, until it becomes second nature.

If you want a complete relaxation treat, help yourself to a hot bath and pour in some essential oil. You can also lit some scented candles and use ambient music to add in to the experience. If all else fails, go to the spa & have yourself a good massage.

phocas said:

As NP88 suggests, keep it simple. Works best for me in a natural place away from people - at the seaside or next to a stream, I watch the water move and slowly all the mental chatter quietens, it only takes 10 mins or so. This evening I lay on the deck at home and watched clouds and birds, which may sound corny, but watching these things gets to feel a little magical :]

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Nature is fantastic. There are great places of natural beauty near where I live but my actual house/street isn't. I'm looking into the garden right now though and already feeling a bit more peaceful.

montejocarlo said:

If you want a complete relaxation treat, help yourself to a hot bath and pour in some essential oil. You can also lit some scented candles and use ambient music to add in to the experience. If all else fails, go to the spa & have yourself a good massage.

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Yeah, I love listening to some ambient music... usually just yoga music that I search for on Spotify. It's nice to listen to with some burning incense as well. One of my incense sticks smells of the lobby of a hotel in which I stayed in once on a great holiday, and when that particular stick is burning I feel so much more at peace. It's amazing how things like music and candles can make a difference.

clearing your mind is a fools errand. The more you try the more cluttered it gets... instead of trying to switch them off, ignore them. They tend to float away if you dont tend to them and get replace with other thoughts that you choose.

Bikram Hot Yoga is great for switching off your thoughts. You are so consumed by the moment your mind forgets about anything else going on in your life outside the room.