How to Overcome Disturbing and Distracting Thoughts

Here is a question somebody asked me, which is relevant to a great number of people:

“I cannot concentrate on things, and I get some things in my mind which really come again and again while doing things, and this makes me very sad. Please help.”

What you focus on grows. If you keep focusing on worries, you only encourage those disturbing and distracting thoughts.

Acknowledge, without letting this worry or discourage you, that you have a problem with concentration, and resolve to do your best to solve it.

Tips on How to Overcome Disturbing and Distracting Thoughts

Here are a few tips to help you avoid disturbing and distracting thoughts in your everyday life and when you need to focus on work, studying, or anything else.

1. Get enough sleep at night. Some say that one needs 8 hours of sleep, but this is an individual matter, as some people require only 5-6 hours of sleep, and wake up energetic and refreshed.

2. Whenever possible, without avoiding your duties and responsibilities, stay away from what stresses and worries you.

3. Believe that you can change a stressful situation. It is just a matter of dedication, desire, inner work and time.

4. Read the article about concentration at:
The Power of Concentration,
and then start practicing the first concentration exercise at:
Concentration Exercises

5. When you can perform the first exercise in the above mention article, move to the next exercise.

6. When thoughts disturb or distract your mind, try focusing on what you are doing more attentively.

Don’t use force or fight your thoughts, just pay more attention to what you are doing at the moment. 

If the thoughts persist, analyze them, see what they are, and acknowledge that they are just thoughts, and there is no reason in the world to be controlled by them.

If you can treat your thoughts with disinterest and detachment they will go away.

7. Keep positive, and don’t get discouraged if you fail to practice these instructions, or if the disturbing and distracting thoughts persist.