# 3 Simple (But Effective) Hacks on How to stop the Cycle of Negative Repetitive Thoughts

> 3 Simple (But Effective) Hacks on How to stop the Cycle of Negative Repetitive Thoughts

- Canonical: https://neurohackingly.com/how-to-stop-the-cycle-of-negative-repetitive-thoughts/
- Published: 2022-12-06
- Updated: 2023-10-02
- Author: Lukas Zangerl
- Tags: mindset

I have been interested in stopping the Cycle of Negative Repetitive Thoughts for a long time.

And over the past 6 years, I have come across a lot of quick self-help fixes.

At first I agreed with them, and then the more I learned and educated myself the more I disagreed with them. Until eventually, I reached a point where I felt like the only reason these quick-fixes had become mainstream and commonly accepted was because “a lot of other people” agreed with them too.

## **So, I have some unique hacks I’d like to share on How to stop the Cycle of Negative Repetitive Thoughts after 10 000 hours immersing myself in the subject:**

## 🔐 Mentally lock up your thoughts (and come back to them later)

#1: Imagine putting your racing thoughts into a safe and lock them up.

#2: Tell yourself that you will come back to them in the evening.

#3: Schedule a no more than 15 minute window in your calendar.

#4: In this window write down everything that comes up to your problem.

#### Source

From a mental coach with 30 years experience.

## 🔲 Box Breathing Technique (5 in - 5 hold - 5 out - 5 hold)

**#1:** Breathe in slowly while counting to 5.

**#2:** Hold your breath for 5 seconds.

**#3:** Breathe out while counting to 5.

**#4:** Hold your breath for 5 seconds.

Repeat.

#### Source:

[Health](https://www.healthline.com/health/box-breathing#hold-your-breath-again)

## 👏 Tap your chest, hum, roll your eyes (separate or simultaneously)

**#1:** Tap the upper chest area with your fingertips.

**#2:** While doing this hum so that the whole head vibrates.

**#3:** Combine it with smoothly rolling your eyes in circles.

**#4:** Look far out in the corner of your vision, while keeping the head straight.

![Diagram showing eye movement pattern for EMDR self-coaching](../../assets/content-images/how-to-stop-the-cycle-of-negative-repetitive-thoughts/eyes-picture.PNG)

#### Source:

[How Does The Wingwave Coaching Work Health Balance Work](https://wingwave.com/en/self-coaching-trainings/how-does-the-wingwave-coaching-work-health-balance-work/)

[How to Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve for Better Mental Health](https://sass.uottawa.ca/sites/sass.uottawa.ca/files/how_to_stimulate_your_vagus_nerve_for_better_mental_health_1.pdf)

### As a recap, you just learned

1.  You can lock your thoughts away to take care of the problem later.
2.  The box-breathing technique relaxes you and can be used anywhere and anytime.
3.  Humming, tapping, and eye circles are valuable tools to stop negative thinking.

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