Headspace_logo_svg
Try for freeTry for free
AdviceObsession

Obsession

Obsession can feel consuming. Learn how to be more present in the moment.

Try 14 days free

Better mental health starts with Headspace. Unrivaled expertise to make life feel a little easier, using guided meditations, mindfulness tips, focus tools, sleep support, and dedicated programs.

Try 14 days free
Better mental health starts with Headspace

We can be obsessed about all kinds of things in life. Doesn't matter whether it's a person, a food, some music, anything at all. The tricky thing is when that starts to interfere with our mind, the way we feel, and our relationships. And of course, when we experience it within the context, within the framework of a Headspace session, not only do we see it more clearly, but it starts to become the dominant feature. It's really hard to gently place our attention on an object of focus when in the back of the mind is kind of screaming, "No, no, no. Look at this, look at this" and asking for our attention. So as much as possible, we need to see that obsession is just a sort of an extreme form of attachment, where we have at some stage, it was nothing more than a thought but that thought developed into a story. The story became very compelling. So we bought into that story. We played it over in our mind. We developed it, we cultivated. It became something bigger. We might not have done it intentionally. It just kind of happened somehow probably because we weren't that conscious in a way at the time. It then developed further. It became this thing that it's almost as though it occupies our entire mind, all of our energy, all of our attention so much so that it becomes this obsession and we can't imagine being free of it. Now, just to be clear, this isn't the... If this is something you experienced, not that you've done anything kind of wrong and is nothing that can't be unwound, but it's good to recognize kind of at what stage that story has become so strong, but maybe it doesn't even really reflect how you honestly feel or what's happening in the world around you. And that's often the case that the storyliner in our mind is very different from the reality we're experiencing. So, before you even sit to get your Headspace, make sure that you are conscious and aware of how strongly that storyline is playing that day. Know that thoughts of that are probably gonna arise during the session. You're not gonna judge it. You're not gonna criticize it. You're not gonna give yourself a hard time. Instead, you can approach your mind in a really kind and gentle way, knowing that it's developed this habit, but knowing like all habits, we can unwind them, we can allow them to sort of move on if you like. And by sitting regularly, by seeing that sort of a mind that wants to chase after the thought the whole time, over time we get to put that down, we get to leave it alone and we get to let it go, and instead to be present with whatever we're focusing on at the time. The object to the obsession in the context of Headspace doesn't really matter. We might feel kind...

Details

TypeAdvice
Duration6 min

About your teachers

  • A former Buddhist monk, Andy has guided people in meditation and mindfulness for 20 years. In his mission to make these practices accessible to all, he co-created the Headspace app in 2010.

    More about Andy
  • Eve is a mindfulness teacher, overseeing Headspace’s meditation curriculum. She is passionate about sharing meditation to help others feel less stressed and experience more compassion in their lives.

    More about Eve
  • As a meditation teacher, Dora encourages others to live, breathe, and be with the fullness of their experiences. She loves meditation’s power to create community and bring clarity to people’s minds.

    More about Dora
  • Kessonga has been an acupuncturists, therapist, and meditation teacher, working to bring mindfulness to the diverse populations of the world.

    More about Kessonga
  • Rosie Acosta has studied yoga and mindfulness for more than 20 years and taught for over a decade. Rosie’s mission is to help others overcome adversity and experience radical love.

    More about Rosie
Your lifelong guide to better mental health

Your lifelong guide to better mental health

Stress, sleep, and all the challenging emotions — care for your mind with the everyday mental health app that's shown to make a difference.

Try 14 days free
Look After Your Mind

Look after your mind

Proven guided meditations and programs to help you stress less, sleep more soundly, and better navigate life’s challenges

Science Backed

Science-backed

Studies show that using Headspace for 30 days can reduce stress, increase resilience, and improve overall well-being

Explore Content

Explore 1000+ 
expert-led exercises

Access our library of meditations, breathing exercises, and guidance videos for stress, sleep, focus, everyday anxiety , parenting, and more.

Member reviews

Hear from some of our members

Your app brings so much peace and tolerance to our home.

Rachel

UK

Member-Icon-01

Changing my thoughts has allowed me to change my life.

Davide

London

Member-Icon-04

The stress and loneliness courses … taught me how to comfort myself.

Alicia

Canada

Member-Icon-03

Headspace provides me with … a connection to myself, and a disconnection from negative thoughts, feelings, and sensations.

Keri

UK

Member-Icon-02

Related to 'Obsession'

Guilt

Advice4 min

Advice on how to release yourself from guilty feelings.

More to explore

Beginning Meditation

Explore-More-Icon-02

Reframe Stress and Relax

Explore-More-Icon-01

New and Popular

Explore-More-Icon-03

Becoming a Mindful Parent

Explore-More-Icon-04
    • Terms & conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Consumer Health Data
    • Your privacy choices
      Privacy Choices Icon
    • CA Privacy Notice
  • © 2024 Headspace Inc.
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Consumer Health Data
  • Your privacy choices
    Privacy Choices Icon
  • CA Privacy Notice