We all would like to be more carefree and live a peaceful and joyful life, but the point is that there is never a shortage of problems. Thoughts and worries can really discourage us when they are nagging. Fortunately, there are several ways to forget about problems and take back the reins of your life. As Judy Garland's famous song goes, "Forget your problems, come on, be happy! / You better get rid of all your worries".
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Changing the Point of View
Step 1. Go out of town
Try leaving where you live for a few days. You don't have to spend too much money or go to an exotic place. Sometimes a little change of scenery is all it takes to stop worrying and forget about your problems.
- Visit a friend who lives in a nearby town.
- Book a bed & breakfast in the countryside.
- Look for a couch-sharing site (free hospitality exchange service) and visit places and countries you don't know through the eyes of the locals.
Step 2. Go through a door
It can happen to anyone who remembers having to call the bank, go into the kitchen to pick up the phone and suddenly forget the reason that led us to make that gesture. According to one study, simply changing rooms increases the likelihood of forgetting what we're doing. Indeed, one could harness the power of oblivion to temporarily ignore problems as well.
- When you have any worries that haunt your mind, just try getting up and going to another room.
- Repeat this operation every time a worrying thought undermines your serenity.
Step 3. Cast out thoughts
If there is something in particular you want to forget, try to do it consciously. It has been shown that just as you can train your mind to remember, so you can train it to forget.
- Whenever an annoying thought crosses your mind, dismiss it.
- It might be helpful to say, "No. I'm not going to think about it right now."
- Use this strategy several times. As with remembering, it also takes time and practice to forget.
- Gradually the details of the memory will begin to fade to become very confused.
Step 4. Bored
Repeat in your mind what is bothering you until it becomes boring. By trivializing your worries, you will be able to lessen their strength. So, try to isolate a thought or idea that is nagging you and repeat it out loud several times.
- For example, if you are afraid of not being up to the task of your job, try saying: "I will lose my job. I will lose my job. I will lose my job".
- By repeating it over and over, it will seem strange, confusing or even ridiculous.
- With practice this thought will no longer haunt you.
Step 5. Consider the good things in your life
If you focus on everything you appreciate, you will be able to put your problems aside. By fueling the sense of gratitude, you will take your gaze away from worries and you will be able to interact with people in a more positive way.
- Whenever you start thinking about your problems, stop and list five things you are grateful for.
- For example, you may feel grateful that you have a nice family, that you are healthy, that you have a roof over your head, that you have fond memories, or that you have received a great opportunity.
Part 2 of 3: Take a Mental Vacation
Step 1. Immerse yourself in a fictional world
By reading a good book or watching a movie, you have the opportunity to put your worries aside. Choose a compelling story of a genre you like.
- Choose a book (or movie) that is easy to follow. This way you will have less difficulty getting into the story.
- Children's novels are a great choice for the following reasons: (1) they are easy to read; (2) many have sequels; (3) they are often filmed.
- Consider Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, or Twilight.
Step 2. Go to your "favorite place"
You can easily silence everything that haunts you by mentally traveling to your "favorite place". It can be a place you have visited or have never been to. A few minutes' mental journey is a wonderful way to lift your mood and forget your worries.
- Close your eyes.
- Relax your muscles.
- Think of your happy place.
- Note as much detail as you can. What noises do you hear? What do you see? What are the smells? What is the sensation of the air on the skin?
- Stop for a few minutes.
- Repeat this exercise whenever you feel the need to mentally recover.
Step 3. Listen to music
Music has a very strong connection with the emotional sphere. While sad songs can arouse melancholy, cheerful ones can help you keep negative emotions at bay. Forget your problems by listening to some lively songs. If you play it loud or sing at the same time, you will be able to chase away any kind of problem.
You can increase the anti-stress power of music by getting up and starting to dance
Step 4. Call a friend
If you want to take your mind off what is bothering you, pick up the phone and start dialing a friend's number. Focus the conversation on your interlocutor. Ask him a few questions and pay attention to his answers. By chatting with him, you have the opportunity to cheer yourself up and distract yourself from your problems at the same time.
- Ask him about the job.
- Ask him if there is any news in his life.
- Ask him if anything funny has happened to him recently.
Step 5. Think of the best things
Contrast negative thoughts with positive ones. Remember the happy moments so you can get your problems out of your mind. Begin to appreciate the most beautiful sides of your person (even the less obvious ones) and, finally, also the most pleasant aspects of your life.
- For example, in regards to yourself, you might think: "How beautiful my hair is", "I have such strong health that I never get sick" or "In tennis I am a real ace".
- Instead, as far as your life is concerned, you might think: "I live in a beautiful city", "My parents are still next to me" or "I never miss food".
Step 6. Practice mindfulness
Problems often arise when you are too focused on the future or the past. Try to pay attention to the present by practicing mindfulness. Pick a simple task, like folding laundry or making tea, and take five minutes to focus solely on what you set out to accomplish. Try to notice all the details. At the end of the five minutes, you will find that problems related to the past or the future will no longer affect you as they used to.
Part 3 of 3: Physically Distracted
Step 1. Train
Few things have been shown to work as well as physical activity to forget about problems and lift your mood. Sport can also help you increase focus and stay in control of life, as well as produce endorphins and make you feel good.
- Go to the club or dance alone at home.
- Take a bike ride. In many cities it is possible to rent it.
- Play tennis with a friend or alone against a wall.
- Try a hot yoga class.
Step 2. Take a walk
Any kind of aerobic activity has been shown to relieve anxiety and promote good mood. Walking is a great way to put your problems aside. In fact, one study estimated that a brisk 30-minute walk can produce the same results as ingesting a mild tranquilizer.
Step 3. Laugh
It is known that by laughing heartily, it is possible to promote the production of beta-endorphins (the hormones of happiness) in the brain. Forget your problems with a good laugh!
- Watch a comedy show.
- Watch a funny sitcom.
- Remember a goliardic experience lived with friends.
Step 4. Sleep
An effective way to forget about problems is to travel to the world of dreams. You won't have a chance to think about what's bothering you if you fall asleep! Also, according to some studies, people who go to bed early are less likely to be upset by negative thoughts.
- Try to get 8 hours of sleep a night.
- If you normally sleep a lot less, start with 6 hours and try to gradually increase.
Step 5. Go in search of pampering
Physical contact has been shown to have a positive effect on mental health. Cuddling, by allowing the body to produce oxytocin (the hormone of emotional bonds), gives us a sense of security and at the same time lowers the levels of cortisol (the stress hormone).
Advice
- Never forget that life has more beautiful things in store than what you lose. Always look on the bright side. Everything that happens only makes you stronger.
- If you have financial problems, don't take a long vacation, but go to somewhere nearby or inexpensive for a week. Don't spend too much.
- Narcotic drugs and alcohol won't help you. Their effect is only temporary and you will feel worse afterwards.
- Seek professional help if you feel like you can't do it.
- If you have relationship problems with your partner, talk about it together or forget about them.
