How to switch brain off

[Mani]

Just had some fireworks going off outside. We have a tradition of big fireworks thru newyears here. I wasnt wearing ear pro but it wasnt too loud or anything. I just thought oh theyre busy again lets put plugs in.

Now I notice that the entire evening my mind has been wanting to get back to thinking about that "bang". I want to let go, i dont want to think about it i dont care but my brain remains fixated.

What does this tell me, how can i fix this? I'm kind of worried its a sign my brain still needs a fixation, which would mean im not ready to get better. Why does my brain do this, and how can i tell him "no"? Also, is this to be expected?

 

[BloodMoon]

Why does my brain do this

Because your over‑concerned lizard brain is trying to protect you. Its job is to keep you safe — and it believes that staying worried and hyper‑alert is the way to do that. It’s misguided protection, not malfunction.

how can i tell him "no"?

When my brain starts looping with anxious thoughts, I use a visualization that helps interrupt the pattern. I picture myself as a sponge made up of living cells that breathe together as one. Just like a single cell, this sponge gently absorbs water and then releases it again. For a few breaths, I imagine breathing through all my pores like that — slow inhale, longer exhale — letting my body remember what safety feels like. After a few rounds, I shift my attention to something neutral or pleasant.

Also, is this to be expected?

Yes, for many of us TMSers it is. The brain’s just doing what it thinks it must to protect us, and these patterns fade as safety starts to register at a deeper level.

 

[Ellen]

It's not so much about switching the brain off, but shifting its focus. Do you have some interests, hobbies, activities, neutral things you can shift your attention to?

 

[Cactusflower]

It’s also about not adding extras to the look - by extras I mean worry, panic, desperation..
The noise was there.
The thoughts are there.
You are ok and fine. You don’t like the thoughts, they can bring up old anxieties. Just sense the anxiety and as @Ellen suggests, engage in something else.

 

[Bonnard]

What does this tell me, how can i fix this? I'm kind of worried its a sign my brain still needs a fixation, which would mean im not ready to get better. Why does my brain do this, and how can i tell him "no"? Also, is this to be expected?

We're in that loop when our response to obsessive thoughts is more obsessive thoughts--but this time about 'how can i fix this?'
We need to affirm that we're safe, that the thoughts can come and the thoughts can go, and we can ride that out. Breaking the patterns (suggestions above) help us get some freedom.

Think about when we're essentially too busy for obsessive thinking. Have you ever been at work and something demanded your full attention, or you had a super busy day, or a crisis/emergency showed up? Or something new, unexpected and really exciting? The obsessive thoughts can come back immediately after those situations end, right?
We're just fine during all of it.

 

[feduccini]

I want to let go, i dont want to think about it i dont care but my brain remains fixated.

Sounds to me it's just resistance, you're trying hard not to think of the pink elephant. Let it be there the time it wants to. It's annoying, I know, but it's how you lower anxiety.

 

[HealingMe]

Think about when we're essentially too busy for obsessive thinking. Have you ever been at work and something demanded your full attention, or you had a super busy day, or a crisis/emergency showed up? Or something new, unexpected and really exciting? The obsessive thoughts can come back immediately after those situations end, right?
We're just fine during all of it.

This is also a great way to think about obsessive compulsive disorder -- which is another symptom imperative.

Sounds to me it's just resistance, you're trying hard not to think of the pink elephant. Let it be there the time it wants to. It's annoying, I know, but it's how you lower anxiety.

Exactly! There's a great chapter about Obsessions in Hope and Help for Your Nerves by Claire Weekes.

 

[HealingMe]

I want to let go, i dont want to think about it i dont care but my brain remains fixated.

The fear part of your brain isn't very logical. I like to compare it to a toddler that needs its hand held and shown that this thought or feeling is okay. Ellen is right -- shift focus once you acknowledge it. This teaches your brain there's nothing abnormal about this feeling or thought, and with time you brain will lose interest.