Do you wonder if you are an overthinker?
Do you dwell on the past or worry about the future a lot?
Can you not switch off your mind even while sleeping?
Do you find it difficult to stop thinking about certain aspects of your life?
Everyone tends to overthink at some point but if your thoughts are affecting your everyday life, they can lead to other issues…
Is overthinking a mental disorder? People ask me sometimes…
I would say, not a disorder yet, though it is a bad habit and can lead to issues like anxiety, overwhelm, self-doubt, and even depression and serious health issues in the long run as well.
When you are overthinking, you are not thinking constructive and positive thoughts, rather you are thinking anxious, worrying, and negative thoughts.
Here are a few signs to decipher whether you are an overthinker:
1. You have trouble sleeping or keeps waking up, because your brain doesn’t shut off.
2. You relive embarrassing or awkward moments in your head repeatedly.
3. You ask yourself a lot of ‘what if’ questions.
You rehash conversations you had with people in your mind and think about all the things you wished you should have or shouldn’t have said.
4. You spend a lot of time worrying about things, you have no control over.
You are not fully present in a conversation and tend to miss what people say because you are distracted with your own thoughts.
5. You can’t stop worrying about things.
You live in the past or future. Constant worrying and thinking have become a part of your daily habit and you can’t stop.
If you are aware that overthinking is not helping you, it is causing you to overwhelm, become anxious, and impacting your health, work, and relationships…
It’s time to stop now!
Here are 3 tools to help you:
Plan an immersive activity:
Set an intention to spend time in activities that take you into a “flow zone”.
When I say flow zone, I mean a place where you are connected with inner joy like sports, music, arts, dance, reading, cycling, running.
It can be any activity that you love.
This does not include watching a video or surfing the internet because those are passive activities and increases your anxiety level unconsciously.
Set a Thinking Timer:
Set a timer for 10- 15 minutes and give yourself time to worry or think about whatever you want.
You can even write them down in a journal.
As the timer goes off, involve yourself in an activity. What you have done is take some time off to worry and then you get back to your task or activity.
Practice stillness, mindfulness, or meditation.
Sit in quiet with yourself for few minutes and just feel your breath.
You can use guided meditation as well. If any thoughts come, just observe them.
Try these simple tools at home and you’ll be amazed to see how your mind starts becoming still, quiet, and focus. Your creativity and productivity will improve tremendously.
If you want to get rid of your overthinking habit and achieve a state of inner calm and peace.
Read my book here, link to download below:
Amazon/How to Stop Overthinking
Stay consistent and do remember that to break any habit takes time and constant practice.
Take care.
Thanks for your Guidance Dr