11 Essential Steps to Stop Overthinking (#91)

Do you find yourself always overthinking things and you just don’t know why or how to change this? We will uncover steps to stop overthinking.

Understand that worrying and reliving old issues are usually key contributors to the overthinking process. We need to evaluate methodically, but avoid overthinking. There is a big difference between evaluating and overthinking. Evaluating is a process for understanding a problem and gathering information to solve it. Overthinking too much can give you unnecessary stresses which as you know could be a bad thing for your overall health and well-being. We need to be heart-friendly to ourselves.

Making mistakes is a part of it

A lot of us just want to get things right and not make mistakes. Don’t worry about making mistakes it’s a part of life. We just need to set a healthy time frame for making decisions. To do this we need to be realistic and be aware that each situation is different. There isn’t a one size fits all solution.

Some decisions we make have bigger impacts on our lives than others, so you could see how someone could overthink things. We feel that the more thinking we do the better the overall outcome. That’s not always the case, because when we overthink we tend to throw things in the mix that aren’t even relevant. You know the whole making up stories thing.

Tips on how to stop overthinking:

1. pay attention to when you are dwelling– Do mental check-ins periodically to see if your mind is stuck in thought mode unnecessarily. 

2. stop the madness– Challenge your brain and don’t think about what can go wrong, think about what can go right. There is lots of goodness.

3. take action– Just pull the trigger already (not literally) and make your decision. Sometimes you’ll find yourself really happy about the decision you made quicker versus dwelling on the what if’s.

4. meditate-Stay in the present moment as much as you can when going through an overthinking episode. Daily routines are great habits and you will see the results. 

5. step away from the problem– Unplug from the situation and find something else to distract your brain. Go for a walk in the sunshine. It will help give you a mental reset so that you can either solve the issue or realize that you’ve done enough.

6. track patterns– Understand how your brain works in problematic situations. Do you constantly think negatively?  Also, track how your brain works when you solve problems. This information will assist in problem-solving.

7. Be aware of how you respond– What are you telling yourself about the situation at hand? Put things into perspective. This overtime will give you an understanding of how you handle situations and you will then understand how much you think.

8. look at the big picture– Consider other viewpoints regarding the situation. Does your situation require such a taxing thought process? Sometimes you just need to ask yourself if you are thinking too much into it.

9. recognize and appreciate all of your successes– Stop thinking that everything has to be perfect. If you are constantly seeking perfection you will never arrive. You have done many great things and you will do more. Be grateful.

10. get help– It’s ok to ask for help from others that may have been in your situation. There are always other viewpoints that may be beneficial. You can also get help from a licensed therapist that could help you overcome the constant overthinking. Sometimes overthinking can cause you to have anxiety. 

11. flip a coin– a good ole fashioned coin toss can give you the clarity you are looking for. You don’t need to stick to which side of the coin landed it’s more of a guide. 

Conclusion 

When we constantly overthink we take away time and energy that we could use on other more meaningful things. We need balance. Overthinking leads to unnecessary stresses and we already put too much pressure on ourselves. Be confident that you got this! Make time your best friend.