Overpowering Overthinking 🤔

Many of us have had experiences where we cannot stop thinking about something, no matter how hard we try. Often there is no action or doing involved just thinking. When we get caught up in a loop of overthinking, time and energy are wasted. Most importantly, it prevents us from acting, doing new things, and making progress in life.

When we get caught up in the loop of overthinking, there is more likelihood for worry, anxiety, and lack of inner peace. I think it is safe to say we can be more efficient, more peaceful, and happier by training our brains not to get caught up in the everlasting loop of thinking and thinking over and again.

Over-thinking can be detrimental to performance, and lead to anxiety and depression. I chose to write about overthinking so that we learn to recognize and name triggers and stop harmful patterns. So, how do we stop?

Experts offer the following suggestions to stop overthinking:

1. Simply recognizing that you are overthinking can be a helpful step toward decreasing it and getting on a different track.
2. Researchers suggest specifically selecting highly engaging activities so that they effectively shift your attention from overthinking.
3. Put thoughts on paper by writing them out instead of letting them constantly replay in your head.
4. Talk with someone about the issue to get another perspective
5. Generate positive emotions like reading a book or listening to music.

Dr. Stredic, EdD 🦋

Author of Metamorphosis Through Life: Quotes and Affirmations (barnesandnoble.com)

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