Thought stopping

The equivalent of giving ourselves a psychological ‘dig in the ribs.’ When you become aware of some distressing thought or of dwelling on something upsetting, simply say ‘STOP.’

You can say this out loud, or perhaps better, say it to yourself inside your head. You may have to imagine shouting it out.

Imagine yourself shouting ‘STOP!’ at the top of your voice inside your head. Imagine yourself screaming out: STOP, STOP, STOP! if you have to.

Sometimes that's enough to ‘jolt’ you out of a thought pattern that otherwise might go on to become a habit.

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