Thank You Mind | Cognitive Defusion Technique (ACT)

Do you ever feel trapped in a loop of overthinking, worrying, or self-critical thoughts?

This ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy) practice introduces a simple defusion technique called "Thank You, Mind."

The mind's job is to think, predict, analyze & protect. Sometimes it does this so often that we become tangled up in our thoughts. This exercise helps you step back & notice thoughts as passing mental events, not commands you must follow.

This Is For You:
If your mind tends to be busy, critical, or constantly trying to solve problems.

This Is Not For You:
If you are looking to get rid of your thoughts; a CBT technique might be a better fit.
This technique isn't about changing your thoughts. It's about changing your relationship with them so they have less power over your actions & emotions.

Note: This practice is not a substitute for professional care.

If this helped, check out the "Therapy Tools & Techniques" playlist on my profile.

Music: The Inner Calling by Music of Wisdom

Transcript

Take a moment to notice what is going on in your mind. The mind generates thoughts all day long. That's what minds do. Some thoughts are helpful and some are not. So instead of engaging with every single thought, See if you can gently say, Thank you, My mind. Not because you agree with the thoughts, But because your mind is trying to protect you, To solve something, To keep you safe in the future. Even if it does so in a messy and painful way, It's only doing its job in the only way it knows. Notice what happened. That's it for this practice. Feel free to return to this practice for practicing with me.