Unfortunately, overthinking can ruin a lot of great opportunities. You just wallow in your thoughts and constantly think yourself to sadness and end up getting depressed. And the funny thing is, it is always the little things that seem like such big issues to us.
I struggle a lot with overthinking. It makes me feel like I am not good enough and sometimes I just want to yell at myself because I know it’s my mind playing these games with me but I can’t seem to help it. So trust me when I say I totally understand that it is not easy to wander away from your thoughts. I mean, you can’t exactly tell your mind to fuck off and stop taking the piss with your metal health, can you?
However, you can take some bold steps to reduce the way you overthink.
I found these tips helpful when I was going through a lot and was constantly overthinking. My thoughts ruined a lot of good things for me because as much as I strived to see the positive side of things, the negativity that kept creeping up in my mind overshadowed the positive. It was a constant struggle with myself but I am glad I learnt these important tips I am about to share with you. I can’t say I don’t overthink anymore (I wish there were actual drugs or medicine for that), but it gets better.
Here are my seven tips on how to deal with your Overthinking:
(1) Just breathe:
Whenever you feel like you are overthinking, the first step to take is to breathe in. Overthinking sends triggering signs to your whole body. Your heart is probably racing from all those thoughts barging unannounced into your head, so you just need to take a deep breath. Close your eyes and let out a sigh of relief. It helps!
(2) Understand that you are overthinking:
Negative thoughts creep in because of fear and anxiety. Understand that these are emotions, what you shouldn’t do is allow yourself dwell and wallow, because you will only feel worse. Replace the negative thoughts in your head that are deceiving you, and instead be kind to yourself. Do not affirm with the negativity in your head.
I started doing this a while back and it has brought so much inspiration to my mental health. ‘Today is going to be a great day’ is enough to make the day just as good, so always tell yourself that.
(3) Ask yourself certain questions:
Ask yourself things like “Why am I stressing over things that I can’t control?” or “Will my overthinking do me any good?” Relax yourself and challenge those emotions. We actually gain our confidence back when we decide to kick back against our negative thoughts.
No, your voice doesn’t sound horrible in that Instagram story you posted, and no, you didn’t look horrible either.
(4) Acknowledge that you are doing great:
You are bigger and greater than those negative thoughts. Take out time to acknowledge that you are doing just great. List out your great deeds and see that you have actually come so far.
I love doing this, it makes me happy knowing I have achieved so much without even realizing. It is amazing! It also makes me see that overthinking is all in my head.
Jot down the little achievements you have made overtime or even in a week. If it’s sticking to a workout routine for a few months, splendid!
Enjoy where you are at the moment. Know that you can’t keep dwelling on the past or keep holding back on the things you really love to do because of your thoughts. You are way more than that!
(5) Have someone you can talk to:
Talk to someone! Have a go-to person you can vent to whenever you find yourself spiraling with your thoughts. Truth is, as much as we like to tell ourselves ”I can handle it all by myself”, We all need someone we can share our problems with. Whether a friend, family or a partner. It could even be a therapist. Just make sure to talk to someone that understands. Venting has a way of cleansing our minds!
I literally feel like a new person after I talk to my friends about my problems, like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders too. They know the right words to say to make me feel calm, and I’m thankful for that.
Remember, a problem shared is a problem half solved. Your anxiety might not go away instantly but at least it helps knowing you have released that burden off your chest.
(6) Unplug from your mind :
Whenever you find yourself overthinking, unplug yourself from your mind and do something different. Listen to happy music, go out to get food, link up with a friend or just take a walk. Do something that removes you from that toxicity in that moment.
Do the fun things you love to do, it will help you forget about whatever it is that was causing you to overthink. Do something that distracts you from dwelling on the negative. My personal favorite thing to do whenever I find myself overthinking is to go out and get junk food (not my healthiest moment, but it’s allowed sometimes please). Anything that keeps my mouth moving makes me forget whatever I can’t control. Remember, you want a distraction so fixate on anything that will genuinely make you forget the thoughts going on in your mind.
(7) Accept your fears:
Accepting your fears does not mean your mind has won or you have been defeated. It means you are the winner. It takes a lot of strength to admit that you have fears, but to accept it is great.
Acceptance plays a major role when it comes to dealing with anxiety, because it means you understand yourself and all you want to do is work on yourself but the truth is, you aren’t even broken. Knowing you can’t control everything that happens is a good step to curbing your overthinking. I couldn’t be any prouder of you for coming this far!
Accept your fears and realize that they do not control you. You are in control of your life. You control the wheels!
We all overthink, it happens to the best of us. What matters is knowing when to pull yourself out of your own negative thoughts and emotions. I hope this article gives you an insight on the little things to do when your mind wanders off, yet again.
Always remember, you are worthy of everything good and wonderful.