Five ways to overcome OVERTHINKING!

Do you ponder thoughts like ‘what you have said?’ or ‘why did this happen?’ Your reaction could have been better. What else could have been done? An over-thinker keeps running thoughts in a loop.

Over-thinkers are critical in judging themselves. They conclude with their actions and words. These thoughts start to distort life. One might think about events that have happened or something in the future that might occur. How can things go wrong? What would be the worst that can happen? There could be thoughts of a scenario that even does not exist! This list may be endless, so maybe the thinking. It can hamper living and holds the ability to make a living mess. It is a cause of anxiety in many cases. Thinking endlessly also affects sleep which lowers mood and ability to do work.

Overthinking can be difficult but can stop. It’s a time to let go.

1. Self-awareness: It is seeing yourself in bright light, knowing yourself, analyzing strengths and limitations, and accepting them. Self-awareness is knowing about own self. We all have some flaws. Acknowledging both good and bad behaviour are necessary factors for good mental health. If you are aware that you are overthinking, you are already in progress and leading to healing. Analyze your thoughts to put an end to this tiresome process of thinking.

2. Analyze: After analyzing thoughts. Understand that we do not have to fight these thoughts. It may sound strange. But it can help. Keep a check on your thought process. Listen to your thoughts and try to understand them.

3. Practice replacing instead of eliminating: A person knows that the thought is useless, but still, it will again and again come to the mind till hundreds of conclusions are there. To overcome this thought process, we usually tell ourselves to stop pondering. We can replace thoughts of worries with better positive affirmations.

Let’s see, I overthink about my career and that I am not succeeding. I can replace these thoughts with this: ‘I will think of ways through which I can grow in my field.’

4. Positive self-talk: Every time clouds of worry surround, come up with a positive talk. In troubled times like this of insecurities, it gets harder to find optimism. You don’t have to go elsewhere it is inside you. Humans tend to grow in a positive environment. Try to provide yourself where you can flourish. Telling yourself ‘It is okay to be fearful, sometimes’ is a part of optimism and positive self-talk. 

5. Engage yourself: Make sure to go for a walk.

Listen to music.

Talk to a friend.

Communicate.

Travel to peaceful places.

In these ways, a person de-stress and relieve tensions. Engage in activities that reduce pressure. From my experience, walking in a park, playing with children, or communicating with a friend helps in reflection but not overthink.