Are you struggling with overwhelming OCD rituals right now? I’m here to tell you that you’re not alone. OCD rituals, or compulsions, can seem like a lifeline when you’re faced with overwhelming anxiety and intrusive thoughts urging you to recheck locked doors or go over mental rituals until they feel “just right.” But engaging with OCD rituals can actually reinforce your OCD and cause major disruptions in your daily life, such as lost time and energy, isolation, and increased anxiety.
Now, personally, I’ve been there too. Feeling trapped in a never-ending cycle of obsessions and compulsions can feel overwhelming and consume so much of your time and energy. But, guess what? There’s hope. I’ve learned some techniques to help free me of OCD rituals, and I can’t wait to share them with you.
In this article I’m going to focus on simple, actionable tips that you can start using today. I’m talking about practical strategies that have helped not just me, but countless others in their journey to resist those OCD rituals.
Tip 1: Educate Yourself about OCD
It’s important to educate yourself about OCD. When you take the time to learn about this disorder, you’ll gain a better understanding of why your brain is wired the way it is and how it affects your thoughts and behaviours. When I first experienced OCD as a young child, I believed repetitive behaviours were normal. However, as I grew older and learned more about OCD, I began to recognise the difference between my genuine need to turn a light off versus the irrational urges created by OCD.
Tip 2: Delay the Ritual
Challenge yourself to postpone the compulsion when the urge to perform a ritual arises instead of caving in right away. Begin small by delaying the ritual for just a few minutes. By practicing this technique, you’re weakening the power of the compulsion and building resilience within yourself.
Tip 3: Embrace Calmness & Find Freedom
When obsessive thoughts and urges to perform rituals come knocking, equip yourself with powerful tools to stay calm and grounded. Take a moment to focus on your breath, explore the realm of meditation and consider progressive muscle relaxation. By incorporating these mindfulness and relaxation techniques into your daily routine, you’ll develop the ability to stay calm in the face of obsessive thoughts and ritual urges. You’ll find yourself grounded and better equipped to navigate away from performing the rituals.
Tip 4: Find Support
Facing OCD all on your own can feel like a really tough journey, but guess what? You don’t have to go through it alone! By joining a support group or seeking a mental health professional who specializes in treating OCD, you’ll find a whole bunch of people who truly get what you’re going through and offer valuable advice.
Remember, taking time for self-care and practicing these techniques is a powerful way to reclaim control over your mind and find peace amidst the OCD chaos. Rein in those rituals and take back control of your life and mental wellbeing.
Last Words…
To summarise, educate yourself about OCD, delay the ritual, embrace calmness and freedom, and find support. Don’t forget that you’re not alone and that there’s hope. Get in touch if you need further help and hear how hypnosis can help turn down those pesky urges to perform rituals, giving your more control, energy and time back into your life
If you need further help in overcoming OCD reach out to me to hear more about my 1-2-1 services where I can help you transition from constant intrusive thoughts, time wasting compulsions and anxiety to a place of inner peace, empowerment and freedom from the disruptive condition. The link to book a discovery call with me is here: Book Call.
I’m a clinical hypnotherapist with over 15 years experience, and to date I have helped over 100 clients from Poole, Bournemouth, Southampton, Bath, London, Bristol, the United States, and as far afield as New Zealand in reaching their goals. Regardless of where you reside, I am fully equipped to assist you in the same manner so do get in touch if you need my hypnosis help too. Here is the link to my website www.alexsaxton.com and here is the link to my calendar if you would like to book a consultation www.alexsaxtoncalendar.as.me
