TIPS TO STOP OVERTHINKING

Hi everyone

I hope this post finds you in good health. As overthinking is a thing that effects me on many of occasions, and I have spoke about it a few times in past posts and in a podcast episode I did few years ago. WAYS TO COMBAT OVERTHINKING

I thought I would share some tips on what helps me when I am overthinking, and other useful tips you can do.

WRITE IT DOWN

When I have alot going on in my mind and just constantly thinking the same things. It helps for me to write it down on paper or my notebook. Just to get it out my mind and to see it written on paper. So writing the thoughts down is something productive to do, especially if it is a plan or wanting to get a task done. Also if you are scared someone may read your thoughs, after writing them down rip them up and throw them away.

PLAN A TIME TO WORRY

This I have done in the past, but was not consistent with it. But still think it is a good thing to do, to set aside time to worry about the things you are worrying about. I have things that I worry about, but they are not to big, or I try to conquer my fears and tackle them. And just be practical with what I worry about, if I can solve them I can do it, if I can’t solve them, they will be resolved in good time with help. And to plan a time to worry helps so you can schedule it into your day to day routine routine, whether to schedule it daily or weekly, it is personally up to the individual and their lifestyle.

LIMIT TIME TO WORRY

I guess this is similar to plan a time to worry, where you are setting time aside to worry and after that time has passed, you continue on with your day. So you are not comsuming most of your day by worrying and overthinking.

TELL YOURSELF FIRMLY STOP

This is what you can do when you are having a bout of worrying and overthinking. Firmly tell yourself to STOP. It takes time, but it does help. Remember only you can stop overthinking and worrying.

DETERMINE IF YOU CAN CHANGE IT

I touched on this in the plan a time to worry section. And this is where writing down your thoughts and what you’re overthinking helps, so you can actually visualise them and determine can you change it? Is the thought correct? how can I make it better? For each thought.

GET PHYSICAL

Lets get physical, I am just thinking about the Olivia Newton John song now, sorry it just came to my mind. For me going outside for regular walks has helped me to clear my mind or see clarity in what I was thinking or overthinking before this time. Yoga and Pilates are good exercises for the mind to.

TRY NOT TO PROCRASTINATE

Procrastinating comes from overthinking, because your mind is rushing with many thoughts and is overwhelmed by it. It is good to figure out the root cause of the things you are overthinking about. To understand the patterns and change the ways of the thought processes. And how to change your thought processes.

FIND A DISTRACTION

Find something to do that can take your mind away from the overthinking situation. Use hobbies you enjoy like reading a book, watching a show or movies, listening to music, sports activites and so on. What and where do you find your happiness in?

LOOK AT THE BIGGER PICTURE

Sometimes our mind likes to over-exaggerate things and make them seem bigger than what they really are. Which can cause you to overthink more. For example if you are overthinking a event or situation that has not happened yet, you have to remember that you have no control over this. And gather the facts to prove positives and not dwell on the negatives for this future event or situation.

ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR STRENGTHS

Remember your strenghts and what you have accomplished and achievements. Have them written down so you can always remind yourself on what you have done. As with a busy mind many things can be forgotten. Remind yourself YOU ARE STRONG and YOU CAN DO ANYTHING.