14 Tips To Stop Overthinking And Start To Enjoy Your Life, According To Experts
Do you tend to overthink everything? Maybe you’re still replaying that old movie in your head and feeling guilty about things you said or did over a week ago. Or you may be constantly stressing about your future to the point of being unable to enjoy the present. While this is normal to a certain extent, learning to stop overthinking is crucial to focus on what truly matters and avoid wasting time thinking about things you have no control over. But how can you do so? Here are a few tips that may help you quit this habit and live a happier life.
Note: The content of this article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice tailored to your individual circumstances.
Focus On What You Can Control
Being stuck in your head usually happens because you’re worried about things out of your control. You can shift your attention to what you can do something about and make better choices instead of spiraling. Make a decision and take action to let go and focus on what you can control. It will help you feel more empowered and less overwhelmed.
Get Moving
Being active can help you get out of your head and back into your body by focusing on the physical instead of the mental aspects of yourself. You can take a walk, do yoga, or anything else that moves your body and helps release built-up tension and stress. If you do this regularly, you can access feel-good hormones more often and be surprised at how much it helps improve your life.
Set Small, Achievable Goals
Sometimes, we get stuck in our heads because we’re overwhelmed by everything we need to do. Small, achievable goals can help you break out of that cycle. Focus on taking the first small step instead of focusing on the stress in front of you. Accomplishing even a tiny task can give you a sense of progress and make it easier to keep moving forward.
Connect With Others
Stay in contact with loved ones when you’re stuck in a cycle of overthinking. Chat with a friend, make a phone call, or say hi to your neighbor. This can help you break out of a mental bubble and give you a new perspective for the day. You aren’t alone in life. Reaching out to the people who love and care for you is okay when you need support.
Challenge Your Thoughts
Remember that not everything your mind comes up with is true or helpful. Challenge your negative thoughts when you find yourself stuck in a negative thought loop. It’s likely just your mind playing tricks on you, and not as dire of a situation. Questioning your thoughts can help you realize they are just thoughts in your mind, not reality or something to ruminate over constantly.
Take A Break From Technology
These days, we take in a lot of information via the TV, our cell phones, scrolling social media, watching the news, etc. It’s never been easier to get bombarded with stress and thoughts. If you take a break from technology to help clear your mind of overclouded thoughts. This is a simple but effective way to help you reconnect with the world around you.
Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is powerful when it comes to battling overthinking. You won’t have much time to focus on stressful thoughts if you’re busy thinking about what you’re grateful for. Start or end your day by writing down a few things you’re grateful for. This can move your mindset from dwelling on the negatives to focusing on the positives.
Limit Your “What-Ifs”
“What if” thinking is a common cause of anxiety and overthinking. It’s natural to consider different possibilities and dwell on endless “what if” scenarios that can keep you in your head. When spiraling into “what if” territory, gently bring your focus back to what’s happening. Remind yourself that you can’t predict the future, and worrying about it won’t change anything.
Embrace Imperfection
The need to be perfect can drive overthinking and keep you in your head. If you strive for perfection, you’ll never feel good enough, which can keep you in a self-doubt cycle. You should embrace imperfection and know that learning, making mistakes, and growing is okay. Let go of the need to be perfect to take action and enjoy life.
Create A Routine
Daily routines can help you feel more grounded and present in your body and less prone to overthinking or being stuck inside your head. If you have a set plan, there’s less room for stress during the day. The routine doesn’t have to be rigid. Start with a morning routine that sets a positive tone for the day and includes activities that help you feel centered and focused.
Seek Professional Help If Need
Getting out of your head can be hard sometimes. If overthinking seriously impacts your life daily, it might be time to seek professional help. There’s no shame in contacting someone to ask for help when necessary. Seeing a professional can equip you with the tools to overcome your thoughts easily and start living more fully. Don’t be afraid to try!
Set A ‘Overthinking Time’
Setting a ‘overthinking time’ may not seem like the perfect solution to stop overthinking. However, this simple trick may work for some. Whenever you think about something that happened in the past or something you are concerned about for the future, simply stop and tell yourself you will do this later. You can then set up a fifteen-minute period in which you think about everything that stresses you or concerns you. This may paradoxically help you decrease your worries throughout the day.
See It From The Outside
One of the best ways to stop overthinking is by looking at your issue from the outside. What if a friend of yours would come to you asking for advice about the same issue you are dealing with right now? Chances are that it would not be so terrible to your eyes as you would be able to judge the situation more objectively. Just think about this. Would this still matter in three years?
Journaling
One of the best tips to stop overthinking is journaling. Unlike what most people believe, you don’t need to write daily for this practice to lead to positive benefits. Whenever you start overthinking, take a piece of paper and write down everything that concerns you. You may even decide to destroy it afterward. Most people feel better after this simple act, as writing things down helps remove all your worries from your mind and impress them on paper.
