Here is at technique you can use to learn to be more flexible with how you focus your attention

In a demanding situation, you may find your focus of attention is too inward, on negative thoughts and feelings. It can be easy to get stuck in a negative mindset.

By practicing and learn to be more flexible with how you focus your attention, the negative thoughts and feelings won’t take up so much of your attention, and you can increasingly decide what you would like to focus your attention on.

It’s quite normal for negative thoughts and feeling to crop up while you are working on this exercise. In that case, just accept them and continue with your training.

Here’s how:

• Take a minute or two to bring yourself to the here and now.
• Put both of your feet firmly on the ground, and feel that the chair that you are sitting in is supportive.
• You should now count three things in the room: something you can see, a sound you hear, and at thing that you can touch.
  • 1 – 2 – 3:  I see ………. right now
  • 1 – 2 – 3:  I hear ………. right now
  • 1 – 2 – 3:  I am touching ………. right now

Repeat this or count more things. Do this if necessary until you notice that the negative thoughts comes a little more in the background.

When you do this, you help bring yourself to the here and now.

You can also use this technique when you are on the bus or out for a walk. When you notice that you are going into the negative, this technique will help you reduce negative thoughts and feelings.

In Mindfit, we have assembled different self-help techniques that you can use when you find yourself in a challenge situation. They can help you to better master the uncomfortable feelings you might have in these circumstances.

When you are faced with doing something that you find difficult or challenging, it can be easy to give up because you feel uncomfortable.

We recommend that you acquaint yourself with these self-help techniques, so that it is easier for you to use them when you actually need them. Read more about the Mindfit app.