Ways to stop overthinking when you feel anxious
Last updated on - Nov 13, 2019, 12:41 ISTShare fbsharetwsharepinshare
11/16Set a deadline
As odd as this sounds, it might just be what can help you. When you start to overthink, what you should do is set a deadline for yourself. Tell yourself that you'll only think about it for the next 5 minutes and then stop the moment you hit your deadline. This will give your brain some breathing space and a chance to relax for a bit.
12/16Listen to some music
One of the best things you can do to combat anxiety is to listen to some music. When your mind is focused on some activity, it'll be a lot less likely to think about negative things. Plus, if you dance along with your music, you'll also end up burning some calories so that'll just be like an added benefit for you.
13/16Be aware of your thoughts but don't engage with them
Notice the thoughts that enter your mind, but do not engage with them or resist that they are around. Try meditation practices. "A meditation practice is incredibly important when dealing with overthinking because it teaches us how to have dominion over the monkey mind," Christine Hassler, a master life coach, told a news portal. "Being in the present moment makes it impossible to ruminate on the past or worry about the future," Amy Morin, a psychotherapist,told a news portal. Take the time to simply sit with yourself and notice what is going on in your mind from a distance.
Picture Courtesy: Google Images
14/16Use visualization techniques
When we overthink, we are really imagining the worst-case scenario. "Worry is the imagination used poorly," Christine Hassler, a master life coach, told a news portal. "Any time we're worrying about something, we are literally visualizing a bad situation in our head." Visualization can be an extremely powerful technique. Therefore, you want to make sure it is used in the right way. "If you're thinking of all the bad things that could happen, remind yourself of all the good things that can happen too," Amy Morin, a psychotherapist,told a news portal.
Picture Courtesy: Google Images
15/16Acknowledge your feelings
Trying to ignore how you feel or force yourself to stop overthinking might not be the solution you need. Change how you relate to the situation instead."Trying to stop worry has elements of banning books — it just strengthens one's interest in the forbidden material," David Carbonell, a clinical psychologist, told a news portal. Adding, "The most useful responses to chronic 'what if?' worry involve playing with the worry as a form of acceptance, rather than any form of opposing."Remember you are human and going to find yourself anxious about something from time to time.
Picture Courtesy: Google Images
16/16Identify the 'worry words"
When your mind is racing and you are overthinking a situation too much, you may not even realise what you are doing. "Most worry is subliminal," David Carbonell, a clinical psychologist, told a news portal. Adding, "It occurs when we're multitasking. We worry while driving, attending a lecture, showering, or doing some routine work that doesn't demand much attention." Identify the words that cause you to overthink things. "The overwhelming majority of unhelpful worries all start with the words 'what if?' Becoming aware of these words in one's thoughts can be a help in catching yourself in the act of unhelpful worry," Carbonell told a news portal.
Picture Courtesy: Google Images