5 tips to help you diminish your overthinking ways.

I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all been victims of overthinking. But there’s solace in hearing that because it’s something everyone has struggled with at one point in their lives. It makes the emotion feel more relatable. However, everyone does not spend the time to learn strategies to help diminish their overthinking habits.

Whether it’s overthinking a situation or conversation, it’s evident that our thoughts can lead us to an anxious state. This is something you should definitely try to avoid because overthinking can lead to you feeling emotionally paralyzed. This will unfortunately put you in a negative spiral of thoughts.

Learning strategies on how to reduce your overthinking episodes is extremely important. This is because constant overthinking can lead to exasperated stress levels. Due to this, you will constantly be in a negative state of mind, and that will prevent you from being the best version of yourself. Below we have outlined five tips to help you diminish your overthinking ways.

Find some distractions.

Sometimes distracting ourselves can help resolve a toxic cycle of overthinking. Usually we are so consumed by our thoughts that we forget to do basic things. That’s why finding some activity that brings you solace can significantly help reduce the act of overthinking. Occupying yourself with things that make you happy will not only improve your mood, but you’ll also feel more productive and less consumed by your thoughts (which is the ultimate goal here). We’re not expecting you to distract yourself all day, but spending approximately an hour for yourself is something that definitely won’t hurt you.

Some examples of healthy distractions include:

Exercising
Trying a new recipe
Reading that book your best friend can’t stop raving about
Finding a new hobby, such as photography, writing or scrapbooking.
Putting in a concerted effort to communicate more with your friends and family.

Learn to become a problem solver.

It’s safe to say that you’re overthinking a situation because you’ve encountered a problem. However, people typically end up dwelling on these issues for way too long instead of discovering solutions for them. That’s why it’s paramount to learn how to become a problem solver. Spend a few moments assessing the situation and rationally examining it. Ask yourself these basic questions: Can I change the outcome? Can I prevent the problem from occurring? Can I help fix the issue?

Sometimes asking these simple questions can help you resolve the conundrum you’re in, and better yet, resolve it! Once you find strategies to help resolve the issue, then you’ll find yourself reducing your overthinking habits.

Live every single day as if it will be your last.

This tip is an extension of our previous one. In the previous tip, we mentioned strategies to help you become a problem solver for your issues. However, there are some problems that you overthink that you genuinely can’t change. Due to that, you should honestly live your day as if it’s your last. Relishing in the moment with optimism will get you much further in life than sulking in stress. Enjoying life will also help keep you distracted. It will help reset your mood. It will ultimately help you feel better. Sometimes it’s best to just forget about our problems by living life out loud.

Stop harping on what can go wrong.

Harping on what can go wrong is a huge reason why people can’t stop overthinking. They get into a mindset that the worst of the worst will happen. They try to map out every possible thing that can happen; and typically, they focus on the bad things that can occur. However, this will only hurt you more and lead you into a cycle where you can’t stop overthinking.

Instead, you should focus on what can go right. By focusing on all the positive things that can occur in a situation, you will eliminate any fear you are enduring. You will become more optimistic about your circumstances. This will ultimately help you become happy and positive about the future.

Understand that fear can be good.

Usually when you overthink a situation, it’s dictated by your fear. Fear is branded as a negative emotion, but it can actually be a good thing. Learning how to use fear in a way that helps you expand your comfort zone will help you grow as an individual. We’re programmed to believe that we should avoid fear of failure, or fear of trying, or even fear of change.

However, by embracing these emotions, you will learn how to challenge yourself. You will stop focusing on the damages you endured in the past that resulted from fear. Instead, you will be open to more positive outcomes. Once you reach that stage, you will find yourself reducing your overthinking habits.

“Thinking too much leads to paralysis by analysis. It's important to think things through, but many use thinking as a means of avoiding action.”

― Robert Herjavek