Stop Overthinking

Overthinking does not sound bad on the surface, for all you do is think, which is good, right? Well, a lesser known fact, overthinking can cause significant problems in the way you behave, act, and treat others. When you overthink, you cloud yourself, and that elevates your stress. You spend way too much time in the negative, which eventually affects you. If this all feels like familiar territory to you, here are some ideas and tips to help you get rid of the overthinking problems.

1. Change starts with Awareness

Before you begin to address or cope with the habit of overthinking, you need to know what's happening. Whenever you find yourself in self-doubt or stressed out or even anxious, take a step back and have a look at the situation and how you are responding to it. That is the seed of Awareness that you should sow.

2. Don't think what can go wrong; consider what could go right

Let's face it; we've all been there. In many cases, overthinking is caused by one emotion, and that is fear when you focus on all the negative stuff that might happen. If next time you find yourself starting to spiral in that direction, stop right there. Visualize all the positive things that can occur and keep those thoughts present — overthinking leads to chaos.

3. Distract yourself into what makes you happy

It's always important to stay healthy and positive in your thoughts. Meditate, exercise, dance, sing, learn an instrument, draw, paint, do what makes you happy. This will be enough to shut down the unnecessary over analysis.

4. Transform your view of fear

Whether you are afraid of your failures which happened in the past or fearful of trying what seems impossible at first, always remember just because something didn't work for you in the past, doesn't mean it's going to be the same outcome every time. Every opportunity is a new beginning to start fresh. Never forget that.

Always accept the fact that whatever happens, happens for your good and that you are the only person on this earth who can make your future. Sometimes it's better to accept that what's meant to be will always find its way. Overthinking can happen to anyone. But if you have a robust built system for dealing with it, you can ward off the negative, anxious, and stressful thinking and transform them into something more useful and productive.