1. Awareness is the beginning of change. Any time you find yourself doubting or feeling stressed or anxious, step back and look at the situation and how you're responding. In that moment of awareness is the seed of the change you want to make.
2. Don't think of what can go wrong, but what can go right. In many cases, overthinking is caused by a single emotion: fear. When you focus on all the negative things that might happen, it's easy to become paralyzed. Next time you sense that you starting to spiral in that direction, stop. Visualize all the things that can go right and keep those thoughts present and up front.
3. Distract yourself into happiness. Sometimes it's helpful to have a way to distract yourself with happy, positive, healthy alternatives. Things like meditation, dancing, exercise, learning an instrument, knitting, drawing, and painting can distance you from the issues enough to shut down the overanalysis.
4. Put things into perspective. It's always easy to make things bigger and more negative than they need to be. The next time you catch yourself making a mountain out of a molehill, ask yourself how much it will matter in five years. Or, for that matter, next month. Just this simple question, changing up the time frame, can help shut down overthinking.
5. Stop waiting for perfection. This is a big one. The moment you start thinking "This needs to be perfect" is the moment you need to remind yourself that waiting for perfect is never as smart as making progress.
6. Change your view of fear. Whether you're afraid because you've failed in the past, or you're fearful of trying or overgeneralizing some other failure, remember that just because things did not work out before does not mean that has to be the outcome every time. Remember, every opportunity is a new beginning, a place to start again.
7. Try structured “worry time”. Set a timer for five minutes about the same time daily and give yourself that time to think, worry, and analyze. Once the timer goes off, spend 10 minutes with a pen and paper, writing down all the things that are worrying you, stressing you, or giving you anxiety. When the 10 minutes is up, throw the paper out and move on--preferably to something fun.
8. Stop worrying!! Only 8% of what we worry about is legitimate. (Read More at the Balance & Power Blog)
9. Accept your best. The fear that grounds overthinking is often based in feeling that you aren't good enough--not smart enough or hardworking enough or dedicated enough. Once you've given an effort your best, accept it as such and know that, while success may depend in part on some things you can't control, you've done what you could do.
10. Be grateful. You can't have a regretful thought or feel depressed and a grateful thought at the same time! Make a list of what you are grateful for and review it every morning and evening. Try having a gratitude buddy!
1. Awareness is the beginning of change. Any time you find yourself doubting or feeling stressed or anxious, step back and look at the situation and how you’re responding. In that moment of awareness is the seed of the change you want to make.
2. Don’t think of what can go wrong, but what can go right. In many cases, overthinking is caused by a single emotion: fear. When you focus on all the negative things that might happen, it’s easy to become paralyzed. Next time you sense that you starting to spiral in that direction, stop. Visualize all the things that can go right and keep those thoughts present and up front.
3. Distract yourself into happiness. Sometimes it’s helpful to have a way to distract yourself with happy, positive, healthy alternatives. Things like meditation, dancing, exercise, learning an instrument, knitting, drawing, and painting can distance you from the issues enough to shut down the overanalysis.
4. Put things into perspective. It’s always easy to make things bigger and more negative than they need to be. The next time you catch yourself making a mountain out of a molehill, ask yourself how much it will matter in five years. Or, for that matter, next month. Just this simple question, changing up the time frame, can help shut down overthinking.
5. Stop waiting for perfection. This is a big one. The moment you start thinking “This needs to be perfect” is the moment you need to remind yourself that waiting for perfect is never as smart as making progress.
6. Change your view of fear. Whether you’re afraid because you’ve failed in the past, or you’re fearful of trying or overgeneralizing some other failure, remember that just because things did not work out before does not mean that has to be the outcome every time. Remember, every opportunity is a new beginning, a place to start again.
7. Try structured “worry time”. Set a timer for five minutes about the same time daily and give yourself that time to think, worry, and analyze. Once the timer goes off, spend 10 minutes with a pen and paper, writing down all the things that are worrying you, stressing you, or giving you anxiety. When the 10 minutes is up, throw the paper out and move on–preferably to something fun.
8. Stop worrying!! Only 8% of what we worry about is legitimate.
9. Accept your best. The fear that grounds overthinking is often based in feeling that you aren’t good enough–not smart enough or hardworking enough or dedicated enough. Once you’ve given an effort your best, accept it as such and know that, while success may depend in part on some things you can’t control, you’ve done what you could do.
10. Be grateful. You can’t have a regretful thought or feel depressed and a grateful thought at the same time! Make a list of what you are grateful for and review it every morning and evening. Try having a gratitude buddy!
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