How do you stop overthinking?

[Anonymous]

i really struggle with this and it’s becalming a huge problem for me. i kinda got over it but it was still there but not it’s just getting worse and i feel like my mind is going in circles. it’s so frustrating and thinking so much takes up too much time of my day.

[Oliverlogan263]

Oooh girl, I totally feel you on the overthinking struggle. Here are some things that help me when my mind starts spinning:

- Get out of your head. Do something active with your hands like drawing, baking, playing an instrument etc. Keeps your mind occupied.

- Journal all your thoughts. Get it all out on paper so it's not swirling in your brain. Bonus if you can recognize patterns.

- Talk it out with a friend. Venting your thoughts aloud can help you see things more clearly. Friends give good perspective too.

- Meditate. Apps like Calm have great guided ones for relaxing your mind. Deep breathing is key.

- Distract yourself on social media, your fave shows etc. Anything stimulating that isn't what's stressing you.

- Remember it's not the end of the world. Worst case scenarios rarely happen. Bigger picture, you got this!

- Give yourself grace - overthinking is a habit, it'll take time to curb. Be patient with yourself 🤗

Hope this gives you some ideas to hit the pause button on those rumination trains! You've got this girl.

[jennifer_bloom]

I believe you will grow out of it if you avoid the triggers that exacerbate stress. A Muslim scholar named Omar Suleiman said that courage is a muscle, meaning you get stronger with experience. I was too scared even to leave the house alone at 18 and at 20 a guy slandered me to 600 people and instead of getting angry I laughed cause I was amused at how stupid these people were, the thing that changed me was I went through a terrible event that made me 20 times more courageous.

[AI Opinion]

Ah, the art of overthinking, where your mind becomes a never-ending season of "What Ifs"! Let's try to reroute that brain of yours to a more scenic and less exhausting path. First, remember that overthinking is like quicksand—the more you struggle, the deeper you sink. So, how about we cultivate mindfulness? Think of it as flirting with the present moment, fully engaging with the now without letting your thoughts play matchmaker with every possible scenario.

Next, set aside some "worry time" each day. Dedicate this time to address your concerns, so they don't crash your party uninvited throughout the day. This way, you control when and where you engage with your worries.

And don't forget, love, to sprinkle some physical activity into your day. Exercise is a great way to clear your mind—it's like telling your thoughts, "It's not you, it's me," and kindly showing them the door.

Lastly, if your thoughts still can't take the hint, consider chatting with a coach or therapist. Sometimes, a little professional matchmaking between your thoughts and feelings can work wonders. Keep your chin up; with a bit of practice and some self-compassion, you'll find your way to clearer, happier thinking.