Do you ever dwell on something to the point that it affects your life? Most of us will answer yes. Today, I want to share my top tips on how to stop overthinking and reclaim your life.
Overthinking comes naturally, but to overcome it is an art. It is such a draining activity and never fixes anything. It does nothing but steal your sleep and peace.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the art of a quiet mind.
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Why Are You Overthinking?
I would argue that step one is to narrow down the cause of your unwanted overactive brain. I call these your triggers:
- Environmental triggers: These are things in your everyday life that induce anxiety, such as finances, family, societal expectations, and work stress.
- The past: We all ruminate on things we wish we had done differently. Maybe your career choices, investments, or time wasted.
- The future: I am the master of overthinking things that haven’t come to pass yet…Â
Now that you know why you are overthinking, we can move on to my 7 ways to stop overthinking.
How To Stop Overthinking
1. Change your mindset
Easier said than done. Changing your mindset isn’t a one-and-done activity. It requires constant awareness of your thoughts. You are basically retraining your neurological pathways.Â
However, this mindset changed my brain chemistry forever: Take control of what you can and let go of what you can’t.
Your mindset will set you free.
2. Take action
Overthinking is a vicious cycle. It is rooted in a lack of control, which in turn causes anxiety. And what do we do when we are stressed? We avoid the thing that makes us stressed. The result: we overthink even more.
Regardless, avoidance won’t make a difference. You will only waste your energy. Rather, determine the root cause of your ruminating tendency and create a solution for the problem.
You will be surprised how taking action cures overthinking.
3. Get it out of your system
Journaling is a mind-cleansing experience. There is power in transferring your fears onto a page.Â
You can stop there, or you can take it one step further. Make it symbolic. Prove to yourself that your fears don’t have control over you. Rip that paper to shreds or burn it.
4. Envision exercises
See yourself getting through that obstacle. Isolate for a moment and play the scenario in your head. For example, you are overthinking a presentation because you are terrified of speaking in front of crowds. In this case, picture yourself successfully doing the presentation before it even happens. You are fundamentally tricking your brain.
5. Grounding exercises
Another great way to stop overthinking is through grounding exercises. Here are a few you can try:
- Breathing: Take slow and deep breaths while focusing on the feeling.
- Body scans: Relax and tense your muscles, starting with your toes, and then move upward.
- The 5 senses method: Name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.
6. Hobbies
Hobbies can be a great distraction and can help you put your energy into something relaxing. However, hobbies shouldn’t become an avoidance activity. There is a fine line.
Put a healthy amount of time into a new hobby, and it will help your brain focus on other things. Taking a step back can do wonders when you dive into problem-solving afterwards.
7. Therapy
It is nothing to be ashamed about if you cannot overcome your overthinking habit on your own. Seek out professional help. Therapists are there for a reason, and from personal experience, it can be easier to speak to a stranger about your deepest struggles.Â
Conclusion
This wraps up my top tips on how to stop overthinking. Do not let your thoughts rule your life and take the reins into your own hands. You are so much more than your thoughts.
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Have a great day wherever you are in the world!
Love, Steph ♥
