Intrusive thoughts can range from hitting the emergency stop button on a train for no reason to rear-ending the car in front of you unprovoked. These thoughts can be undeniably alarming, leading you to question why they occur. The truth is, it’s more ordinary than you might think.

Anxiety and stress are the most common factors behind intrusive thoughts. The more you’re feeling these emotions, the more likely you are to have intrusive thoughts, as your mind tests the boundaries of what you’re capable of thinking. Interestingly, biological factors such as hormonal changes can contribute to these thoughts, especially in new mothers.

The knee-jerk reaction to intrusive thoughts might be to suppress them. Surprisingly, this can make them stick around longer and occur more frequently. In some cases, the obsession with eliminating these thoughts can even evolve into a form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

What should you do when you have thoughts about, say, kicking your neighbor’s adorable dog? Harvard Health offers some guidance. First, identify the thought and acknowledge it as an intrusive thought, detached from your true beliefs and desires. Second, avoid the temptation to fight the thought. Lastly, don’t judge yourself for having it.

While occasional intrusive thoughts are normal, if they start to significantly impact your daily life or mental well-being, it might be time to seek help from a mental health professional. They can provide further guidance and support in managing these thoughts.

The bizarre nature of intrusive thoughts doesn’t make you abnormal — it makes you human. Understanding their origins and how to manage them can help you navigate this intricate aspect of the human psyche.

Recently, the woman who was recognized as the world’s oldest person (according to Guinness World Records) has passed away. Kane Tanaka left the Earth on April 19th, and the record-keeping organization said that her passing was due to recent health setbacks which led to a few hospitalizations and discharges.

Kane Tanaka’s 119 Birthday

Earlier in 2022, Tanaka celebrated her 119 birthday. She posted a message on Twitter that said she safely reached the age of 119 and also, that she managed to come this far with the support of many people. She also said she hopes people will continue to have fun and be cheerful and energetic.

The Story of Her Life

According to Guinness, Kane Tanaka was born, prematurely, on January 2nd of 1903. 19 years later, in January 1922, she married her husband whom she had never met prior to their wedding day. His name was Hideo Tanaka and they had four biological children together and also adopted a fifth child. While her husband served in the Second Sino-Japanese War, his wife was helping run the family business. They were making sticky rice, Udon noodles, and desserts. Later on, her first son, Nobuo, fought in World War II and was held captive until 1947 by the Soviet Union.

In a Tweet in April, the Guinness World Records, have confirmed that Kane Tanaka was the second oldest person they had on record. She became the oldest living person in January of 2019 when she was 116 and 28 days. The first oldest person they have on record is Jeanne Calment who lived to the age of 122. And now, the new oldest living person is Sister André. She’s a French nun who is currently 118 years and almost 100 days old.