Unrelenting soundtrack of thoughts in your head, playing over and over? Thoughts of fear? Relationships? Replaying that embarrassing moment that you had years ago? Work issues? Family? Your own health? Thinking of things, you shouldn’t have said or want to say?

These endless loops of thoughts in your head, filling it up, taking you away from what’s happening in the present. This is a normal process in response to stress or changes in your life, however if you are caught in an endless loop it can overwhelm and drain you. When this happens, you need to come up for air, having your own techniques to switch that brain off is needed.

Living in the moment/being mindful

See the world though all five senses, to bring you back into the present.

Sight: Try and get up and move location, shift what you see or have something close by that you can look at that makes you focus on something else.

Sound: Music! Listen to your favourite tunes or find sounds that relax you.

Smell: Different smells will affect people in different ways. Find a smell that you enjoy, like a particular plant or essential oil.

Taste: Try not to reach for those treats that you know won’t make the situation any better. Awaken those taste buds with high flavour foods, invigorate your senses, literally.

Touch: Place your feet on the floor or touch your hand to your heart. Bring yourself back into your body, rather than having your head in the clouds.

Writing down your thoughts

Get these thoughts on paper. Write yourself a letter or write about your journey both past and present. This is for your eyes only, so get a pen to paper and let it flow. It doesn’t have to make sense, it doesn’t have to be an essay, it doesn’t even have to be grammatically correct. Just get it out, let these thoughts escape your mind, give it some space.

Do things that you enjoy

Make time for expression, fun and play. Go dancing, watch a funny movie and laugh, get outdoors and friends and loved ones, give something back, pay it forward or donate some clothes to charity. Do things that make you feel good.

Make connections

We are all human, we all have a range of thoughts and feelings. Don’t be afraid to use your voice and express them to someone you trust or a health professional. You don’t have to face things alone.