This quick “sex mind” hack uses science to help you focus

A psychologist has shared a handy trick that can help you combat intrusive thoughts.

Mental health expert, Dr. Julie Smith, took to TikTok to break down how the mind works when it comes to avoiding certain thoughts.

Smith shared her expertise in a 38 second roll this was tagged with multiple self-help and psychology hashtags.

She began the video by asking her viewers not to think about sex for the next 20 seconds.

“I’m a psychologist and I want to show you about how your mind works,” she said.

“All you have to do is just not think about sex,” Smith continued.

A few seconds later, she asked her viewers if they were actually thinking about sex.

“It’s because your mind isn’t very good at dealing with negatives,” she explained.

“As soon as you try not to think about something, you’re already thinking about it.”

Smith noted that this is one of the reasons so many people struggle with addiction, dieting, and intrusive thoughts.

She then shared that the trick to addressing this issue is to just let the thoughts drift by.

“Instead, actively fill your attention with the things you want to think about,” the psychologist concluded.

The reel went live a few months ago and has garnered nearly 40,000 likes.

Hundreds of users also commented under the post to express their thoughts on the so-called “brain hack”.

“Thank you, I’ve been having intrusive thoughts lately,” wrote one user.

“Well, I’ve thought about it because you kept saying it. I was trying to think of tacos,” joked a second TikToker.

“I was thinking about it when you said not to do it,” admitted a third user.

This story originally appeared on the sun and is reproduced here with permission.