How do I stop focusing on things that do nothing to help me find happiness?

1. Identify what brings you meaning and joy. Make a list of the people, activities, passions that make you feel happy and fulfilled when you spend time on them. Refer to this when you catch yourself dwelling on unhelpful things.

2. Practice mindfulness. Train yourself to notice when your mind starts obsessing or worrying over something inconsequential. Gently bring your attention back to the present moment.

3. Limit time spent on social media or news if they frequently lead you down unproductive thinking patterns. Set boundaries with activities that tend to drag your mood down.

4. Challenge unhelpful thoughts. When you catch yourself focusing excessively on something trivial, pause and ask yourself - is this line of thinking helpful for my wellbeing or goals? Does it move me closer to or farther from happiness?

5. Replace the unhelpful focus with positive action instead. Rather than ruminating, redirect your mental energy towards meaningful activities like learning a new skill, helping others, enjoying hobbies, spending time with loved ones.

6. Seek counseling if unhelpful thought cycles persist and disrupt your daily functioning. A therapist can help reframe your thought patterns.

The key is increasing awareness of where your focus goes, and purposefully guiding it towards what enhances your life rather than diminishes it. It takes mindfulness and discipline but the rewards make it worth it.