Is Overthinking Killing You?

11 Psychology backed ways to counter overthinking.

Are you an overthinker?

Let's check the signs:

- Your brain won't shut off

- Constantly reminding of mistakes

- Replaying embarrassing situations in a loop

- Too many "what0-if?"s for every decision

- Dwelling on things you have no control over

Overthinking is the tendency to monitor, evaluate, and attempt to control all types of thoughts. Your ability to think deeply is a sign of a higher IQ. But this gets exhausting. Instead, use that mental energy for problem-solving and self-reflection. Let's dive in.

Here are 11 tips to stop overthinking: 

1. Keep it simple 

2. Focus on the present 

3. Recognize when you're stuck 

4. Slow down 

5. Get outside 

6. Journal 

7. Be Honest 

8. Learn to say NO 

9. Practice deep breathing 

10. Have a hobby 

11. Watch your thoughts

1. Keep it simple: 

The key is to move quickly. 

Allow yourself just enough time to think through a situation, and then you act. 

Doing too much at once can be overwhelming.

Keep it straightforward. Focus on one thing you want to achieve. 

Then focus on acting.

2. Focus on the present: 

Don't worry too much about what's going to happen. 

Obsessing about the future is useless, as future events are beyond your control.

You can only influence them by taking the right actions now.

3. Recognize when you're stuck: 

Spending hours curled up in bed questioning your very existence isn't healthy.

It's not going to help you get over a breakup but will make you more miserable.

When you feel stuck, recognize and take action.

4. Slow down: 

Take a few days off of work, slow down on the weekends and give yourself time to relax and unwind. 

The more we learn to enjoy the present, the more we will be able to stop overthinking.

5. Get outside: 

Often, the best way to stop overthinking is to get outside and do something you enjoy. 

It's easy to sit in bed and sigh for hours on end, but breaking the rhythm is the only way to snap out of it.

6. Journal:

Keeping a journal is a great way to manage to overthink. 

Take a few minutes out of your day and write down what's going on in your mind. 

Writing down your thoughts will give you a clear understanding of what you are concerned about.

7. Be Honest with yourself:

Be honest with yourself about your anxiety. 

When you try to lie to yourself, you're making it worse. 

When you're honest with yourself, you open the doors to find a solution.

8. Learn to say NO:

Stop taking on new commitments and projects if you're already overwhelmed. 

If you're constantly thinking about everything you have to do, you won't have time to think about anything else.

9. Practice deep breathing:

Take a few deep breaths. 

Sometimes, all it takes is a few seconds of deep breathing to calm your thoughts.

There are great breathing exercises you can find on YouTube.

10. Have a hobby:

Distract yourself with a hobby. 

Cultivate it. Be it a sport, DIY project, or art.  

A hobby is a great way to take your mind off of things. 

This will help you stop overthinking.

11. Watch your thoughts:

Just like you learn to recognize your unhealthy eating habits, 

you can learn to remember when you're overthinking. 

When you catch yourself thinking negative thoughts,

stop them in their tracks and find other ways to occupy your mind.

Conclusion:

Overthinking can be used to better your life ​if you can learn to control it. 

Don't let overthinking get out of control.

Learning how to manage overthinking can be the difference between happiness and misery.