How to Help Someone Take Their Mind Off Things

Take a walk together. Walking through nature is one of the top recommendations for a "healthy distraction." If you invite a friend to join you, it creates an opportunity to chat and connect. Spending time outdoors can be both enjoyable and rejuvenating for the spirit.

• Reader Poll: We surveyed 605 Mytour readers, and 59% agreed that taking a walk is the best way to help someone unwind. [Take Poll]

Do breathing exercises together. Many "healthy distractions" are rooted in mindfulness practices like meditation and controlled breathing. If your friend is dealing with physical pain, guiding them through a calming breathing session can be incredibly effective. By focusing on something as simple as their breath, their mind will naturally have less attention to spare for whatever they're trying to escape from.

• Sit down, close your eyes, and focus on taking slow, steady breaths, paying attention to the rhythm and sensation of each inhale.

Watch a show with them. Watching a TV show can be a fantastic way to distract someone when they're feeling down or need a break. Specifically, "binge-watching" multiple episodes can immerse them in a storyline, pulling their focus away from stress. Networks like HBO offer many captivating shows that are perfect for this. The episodic nature of TV shows makes it easy to get hooked. So, suggest a show to watch together!

• Don't forget the popcorn and snacks—they can make the experience even more enjoyable.
• Be mindful of your friend's needs. If they're not up for it, respect their space and check in with them later.

Link them to clickbait. Clickbait is a type of online content designed purely to grab attention and distract. Websites like Buzzfeed and Clickworthy specialize in this kind of lighthearted media. While often not very informative, clickbait can be an ideal way to momentarily draw someone's attention away from serious matters. Interestingly, some clickbait even acknowledges its role as a harmless distraction from reality.

Take your friend out for a wild night. While heavy partying or excessive drinking isn't a healthy long-term solution for distraction, a fun, lively night out can help your friend temporarily forget their troubles. Just ensure that the night is filled with positive experiences and steer clear of anything that might remind them of what they're trying to avoid.

• If you're not in the mood to go out, another option is to stay in and enjoy a cozy, comforting meal together.

Engage with them using technology. Technology is often seen as a major distraction in modern life, but it can actually be an effective tool when you're trying to help someone take their mind off things.

• Try sending them a funny video on YouTube to lift their spirits.
• Texting can be a quick and easy way to provide a distraction.
• Online games are another excellent option to keep them entertained.

Share an interesting story. People love stories because they offer an escape, allowing someone to step into another person’s experience for a moment. Telling a funny or engaging anecdote from your life can be just what they need to redirect their attention. Humor is especially helpful in easing tension. The best stories often come from your own life, as they help strengthen the bond between you and the person you're trying to distract.

• Keep the story concise, but add enough details to make it engaging. Don’t linger too long in one spot, or it may lose its impact.

Make them laugh. Laughter is not just a source of fun; it's also one of the best ways to cope with stress. Humor is an excellent distraction because it’s simple, effective, and doesn’t require much. Depending on your relationship with the person, humor may come naturally or take a little more effort.

• If you're struggling to come up with something funny on the spot, consider preparing a few jokes in advance. That way, you'll have something to rely on if you need it.
• Reader Poll: If you're ever stuck for conversation ideas, we asked 468 Mytour readers who’ve needed to shift a conversation, and 61% of them said that the best way to change the subject is by talking about something positive. [Take Poll]

Avoid topics that could trigger memories. When you're trying to distract someone, be cautious not to bring up anything related to what they're trying to forget. While it’s important to have a genuine conversation, it’s equally crucial to be mindful of what could make them think about the issue at hand. Keep the sensitive subject in mind and steer clear of anything that might inadvertently remind them of it.

• For instance, if your friend has recently experienced a traumatic car accident, avoid mentioning anything car-related, even casual topics like a trip to a drive-in movie.

Suggest a good show or book. If you're not able to keep your friend's attention for long, recommend something they can enjoy on their own. Whether it’s a TV show, a video game, or a book, giving them something to dive into can help them distract themselves in their own time. Books, in particular, offer a rich escape for the mind, making them an excellent way to distract someone when you're not around.

Exude confidence. Confidence plays a key role in holding someone's attention over time. If you're lacking self-confidence, it can manifest in your actions and communication. Confidence is essential for succeeding in social interactions. Work on eliminating any negative thoughts you have about yourself and replace them with positive affirmations. Even if you don’t believe these affirmations right away, just thinking them will have a significant impact on how you feel.

• Make a list of what you love about yourself. Now’s the time to be proud! Whether it’s something you admire about yourself or an achievement you’re proud of, there are plenty of reasons to feel confident. Write them all down, and you'll have a list to remind yourself of your worth.
• Avoid comparing yourself to others. To distract someone else effectively, you need to stay positive about yourself, so focus on your own strengths.

Change your approach. No distraction lasts forever, not even the most engaging ones. To keep the momentum going, you should vary your methods. If you’ve been playing a game, for example, switch to something else when you sense the other person is losing interest. Even the most entertaining activities can lose their charm over time.

• If the distraction needs to continue over a longer period, feel free to return to what worked well earlier.

Know the placebo effect. A lot of research has been done on the power of placebos and how 'false distractions' can work. The belief in something—whether it’s a distraction or a cure—can alter a person’s perception. Understanding this can be very motivating if you’re trying to help a friend.

• However, placebos only work if the person doesn’t know you're consciously trying to distract them. If they feel like you're only acting to divert their attention, the distraction is unlikely to succeed.

Follow up later. Even after the immediate need for a distraction has passed, it's a good idea to revisit the situation and see how the person felt about the experience. Sometimes, they might have participated simply because they thought it’s what you wanted. Other times, the distraction may have worked better than expected. It’s not advisable to tell them that your goal was purely to distract them, but reflecting on the experience can help you understand whether it was successful.

• Be gentle in your follow-up. You could ask, “How do you feel about it now, looking back?” without mentioning that you intentionally tried to distract them. This keeps the conversation neutral and open.

• A stronger connection with the person makes a big difference. It’s much easier to distract someone you're familiar with rather than a complete stranger, as trust and comfort make the distraction more effective.

• Distractions should be short-lived. Prolonged distraction can be counterproductive and is often seen negatively, hindering meaningful progress.
• There will be times when it’s impossible to distract someone. If they’re determined to focus on something, trying to intervene might lead to frustration or even anger. Always consider the situation before attempting to distract.
• Don’t rely on substances like drugs or alcohol to distract someone. While these may seem like quick fixes, they’re not a healthy long-term solution.