Do you have tips on how to stop overthinking?

[_SillyShoes_]

Any tips are welcome. :)

*I'm already trying meditation.

[lightbulb27]

examine the emotional source of the thinking.

What is driving behaviors in people is emotional... sub conscious emotions

I found perfectionism and fear being root causes. The roots of those were ridicule and fear of making the wrong decision, so I'd think and over think and then go back and think more. Part of this is influenced by personality in how my mind works... being shades of grey vs black and white definitive thinking. That is an asset, if managed well... to examine details.

The solution thus was to let go of perfectionism and fear and put into perspective the severity of the decisions. Practice making decisions and being ok with it and the results. Like making baby steps. Tell yourself it's ok (reassurance) to mitigate the fear, either way it goes. Learn to let go, that not everything is so important. Change your focus to further out so what is immediate isn't so strong.

May have to go back to the early emotional wounds creating the behaviors and soothe those with the truth and God's love.

Developing trust in your intuition is helpful so you trust yourself. You may "think" different than others using your emotions and those are powerful, which is fine. Learn to value the thinking abilities of others. Learn to think and consider before responding... slowing down your processing.

[_SillyShoes_]

Very insightful reply. Thank you so much!

I will most definitely heed this advice and try to impement it whenever possible.

Yes, I'm a perfectionist for sure and also kind of afraid of opening up to people emotionally as I always get disappointed (I seem to presume most people share my morals, which I logically know is not the case) - so I need to learn how to deal with it better. By detaching as much as possible (as you say, looking at if from a broader perspective).

My intuition is very strong, that is something I can trust 100%.

I definitely need to learn to slow down my processing - hopefully meditation helps with that.

[lightbulb27]

you are spot on correct as am I, so this is very solvable so you are in your power.
you can research "highly sensitive people" web site and empath personality... much you can gain from understanding yourself.
You are very sensitive and thus, easily hurt, possibly manipulated as well... so your defenses are up... don't want to make mistakes. Your power is intuition which with some experience and training see through stuff instantly, that will avoid the messes. that is self confidence.
exactly right... other people don't function like you, maybe 80% of them and some are downright wicked and will intentially try to hurt or control you... those be "narcissistic". Note that your empathy will draw those types so you have to filter, boundary, and have confidence to say no and go to what is healthy for you.
The overthinking is thus just realization you have these powers and being confident in yourself.
I strongly suspect there are more gifts under all that the Bible talks of... it's all just emotions tuning in... power to heal, power to anticipate and see future, etc.. it makes sense, don't over think it:)
put them to good use, wish you success!

[dolemite58]

i try to remind myself things aren’t usually as complicated or important as they may seem

[_SillyShoes_]

That's actually very smart and simple, but people usually forego the most simple option.

[dolemite58]

thanks for mho my dear 😅

[AmandaYVR]

Distraction. Replace the thoughts with something else. I find that's the only thing that works for me.

I enjoy thinking about really challenging things, but it's writing, or incorporating words or verbal, in some capacity, that really busts the old thoughts away (temporarily.) I really engage with and attach to words (if interesting, not fluff, not basic or small talk). I like to communicate with others, or write (fiction or nonfiction), or listen to lectures/talks on youtube.

A more basic suggestion would be to figure out the root of what you thinking about, address the fear or concern in that, and do something about it. Sometimes indecision is an issue for these types of people. But I personally defend that, in terms of myself, because my indecision is only based on poor options. I will be very decisive if one of the options is feasible or desirable or low-risk. But having shit options puts us in a no-win situation that will undoubtedly involve a lot of pain or discomfort. That is what we feel boxed in by.

If you really are a type to just 'spin the hamster wheel' ad infinitum, without progress, then in that case, the advice is to set aside a specific time, and length, to think/worry. It's designated, and finite. You dedicate your mind to it only at that time, and only for the allotted time frame. Then you stop. You haul your thoughts away from it, and move on to something else.

[ohsheeT]

What are you over thinking about.
Did it just happen

Or you think it's going to happen

Or you don't know what's going to happen

If it hasn't happen your wasting your time until it does happen
If it's already happen then except it acknowledge it and let it go

One of the biggest killers in life is stress why are you stressing yourself out over something that hasn't happened has happened or you don't know that's going to happen live in the moment right now take it on when it happens every time you think about it you're calling negative energy into you if you want something to happen good live it tell yourself it already happened and you're living the dream right now and live that way everyday marry your heart and your brain together it has to be true it has to be positive you have to really really want something but live it love it understand it become it quit thinking about negative stuff get it out of your system each time you start thinking of something negative stuff turn around start thinking about something positive make something positive happen everything positive will start happening

[JeffersonA]

Keep busy and try a fidget cube when you have time to think. Focus on something else and don't let yourself go down the rabbit hole.

Big over thinker here and it can get out of hand but stopping my thoughts from snow balling even when I wanna helps.

[DiegoO]

There are things that are not under your control, and things that are NOT under your control. Change what you can, don't try to change what you can't. Under that premise, overthink about things you can change, not things that are truly out if your possibility.

[DiegoO]

Things that are under your control, and things that not****

[Bricealan]

I was going to ask you the same thing. I guess in analyzing the problem, I guess I would over think something, (decision, problem solving etc) I would rather take the time to 'noodle' it rather than making a decision that I might later regret?

Just saying.

[provokeesmokee]

Practice.

If you're finding your overthinking is creating impactful difficulties for your day to day, or relationships, consider seeking therapy.

[als24]

Get into running/a physical activity you like. I recommend running because you can put some earphones in, get some music playing and just focus on the rhythm of the activity like your pace, breathing etc.

[GreatBigCircles]

I find reading helps a lot. Specifically novels or text books. They require a level of thought that ties up my inner voice, while being chill enough for me to still feel relaxed.

[Truthatanycost]

I learned how to stop thinking altogether so once I'm done using my mind for whatever task, I can silence it and be in peace. Read the book 'The Power of Now' by Ekhart Tolle to learn more.

[asphaltrhymes]

I love being an over thinking person, but I do know when to relax to just breathe calmer, enjoy the moment and enjoy just not thinking too hard about time or plans. 🙃

[Meropatrick]

Why not? Life isn't easy or a safe place. U need to think and over think. Of course u must take a break in between but often over thinking is Healthy and leads to solving a problem or protect you

[DryGermanGuy]

In the Japanese culture people slap themselves, when they realize they did something bad. Maybe this could work? :-D

[Emmy87]

Distraction and surrounding yourself by people who love and care about u, u can also seek therapists’ help

[sheenagwapa]

it's hard not to think when yoy keep havinh dreams. when yoy are the one being abusef yet you are the one beinh perceived as the villain

[EaterPeter]

Yeah, meditate, breath, observe, label, thinking, breathing, feeling. someone once said once you know meditation and you feel you don't have time to meditate for 10 minutes that is when you should try meditating 20 minutes.

[WanderingLoveWizard]

Absolutely. Have your brain transplanted with a male brain

[Christoff92]

Ok. If the bus is coming late. Don't get mad over that. Prevent frustration towards people and things because of example family oppression and despite grief 😊

[mommymommymommy]

Keep yourself busy

When we overthink, we tend to be bored

[WhitneySnow]

Try to focus more on your feelings

[Engin12]

Just relax and have some fun.

[BLP11520]

I am an overthinker I don’t know? Music

[invalid1]

Stop overthinking