“Don’t worry, be happy.”
Most of us have heard that phrase at some point in our lives. But, as simple as this statement may seem, for most of us, this is much easier said than done. In fact, our thoughts and worries have the potential to sabotage our health, wealth, and overall happiness if we’re not consciously aware of them. One of the most common ways to get trapped in a cycle of self-sabotaging thoughts or anxiety is by overthinking.
Overthinking is the result of what happens when our minds wander into all of the possible “what ifs,” creating much larger problems for ourselves than we’d like.
So I’d like to show you some useful tips on how to stop overthinking once and for all, so you can get back to experiencing more happiness and start living life in the present moment.
To combat episodes of overthinking, you’ve first got to realize when you’re doing it. Some of the telltale signs of overthinking are:
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You spend a lot of time dwelling on past events or encounters.
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You second guess yourself a lot.
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You spend a lot of time worrying about the future.
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You have a hard time enjoying the present moment.
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You replay embarrassing moments in your head over and over.
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You have trouble sleeping to the point where it feels like your brain won’t “shut off.”
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You’re constantly asking yourself, “what if.”
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You have trouble concentrating.
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You seem to be living in fear.
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You have a hard time letting things go.
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You spend a lot of time overanalyzing.
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You’re indecisive.
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You have a hard time getting your mind off of your worries (even the ones you can’t control).
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You experience stiffness or tension in your muscles or joints.
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You replay conversations in your mind you’ve had with others, thinking about all the things you wished you had or hadn’t said.
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You’re oblivious to what’s happening around you because you’re dwelling on past events or worrying about the future.
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You get worried when you don’t get a quick response.
If you can relate to any of these things - you’re not alone! And once you have pinpointed the warning signs of overthinking, you can then move towards becoming mentally stronger and living a happier life. Of course, no one’s circumstances are perfect, but no matter what you’re going through, being held down by our thoughts can often make matters worse. So here are some tips for stopping overthinking right in its tracks:
1. Acknowledge it
Just like overcoming any life challenge or hurdle, you’ve got to call it out. Take accountability for your overthinking by acknowledging when you’re doing it. This is a great way to break the cycle to get your mind back on track to the present moment. We’re all human, so overthinking will happen from time to time, but being mindful of when it’s happening is a crucial step in learning to overcome it.
2. Write it out
After acknowledging your experiences of overthinking, another great and cathartic way to ease these emotions is to write out your worries. Instead of letting negative thoughts swirl inside your mind, writing them out on paper can help you to gain clarity. Think of spelling out your concerns on paper like taking a big deep breath and then slowly exhaling to help ease your nerves, tension, and anxiety.
3. Gratitude journal
Similarly, writing down all of the things that you are grateful for works wonders in preventing overthinking. When you acknowledge and embrace everything that you already have, this leaves little space for worrisome thoughts to creep in. Also, a daily gratitude practice is one of the most powerful ways to keep your mind at an optimal state and to welcome more abundance into your life.
4. Meditate
There’s no better way to work on staying present and living in the moment than meditating. Meditation allows you to focus on the present, gain a better or new perspective on challenging situations, boost your self-awareness, and to push negative feelings from your mind. Finding space and time to meditate is an incredible way to welcome a higher vibration and get you out of feeling lost in triggering thoughts.
5. Put it into perspective
Whatever you may be dealing with, a good rule of thumb is to put things into perspective. When you can take a step back from the challenge or worry you are facing and shift your perspective to an outsider looking in, you are giving your mind the necessary breathing room it needs to be mindful.
Getting worked up over something that has already happened or worrying about the future prevents you from being able to see things clearly. These are the patterns of excuses that prevent us from living our best life. There’s a reason they say hindsight is 20/20, so be sure to take a step back from time to time, to fully see what you’re dealing with as opposed to getting stuck in the minutia.
6. Ditch perfection
Most people deal with internal battles for perfection from time to time – to have the perfect answers, make the perfect decisions, be the perfect person, etc. But that’s just not realistic. When you can choose to have more compassion for yourself, you are providing yourself the room to learn and grow, even if you make mistakes along the way. So ditch the self-criticism and the urge to be perfect and replace it with feelings of compassion and even forgiveness.
7. Exercise
The benefits of exercise are truly endless and even more beneficial to your mental well-being than you think. Not only does exercise ignite endorphins in the body, but it can also be a healthy distraction from the worry you are facing. So instead of spending time dwelling on the things you can’t control, get your body moving, even if it’s just taking a walk. Through daily exercise, you can release the strain and tension that builds up, both mentally and physically, from being worried or having anxiety.
8. Limit time on social media
Another way to get caught in the overthinking trap is by spending too much time scrolling on social media. The information overload that you can experience by spending too much time online can trigger the mind to wander to dark places. Set a timer for yourself, at a specific time of day, to check your social media. After that, shut it off and get outdoors, call a friend, meditate, or anything else that brings you back to the present moment.
As you can see, with a little discipline, small everyday changes, and shifts in perspective, you’ll be on your way to retuning your mind to the frequency of happiness and gratitude. And while you’re here, I’d also like to share with you a special gratitude offering…something to help you feel Rich With Gratitude.
That’s right, it’s a special offer on our very popular Rich With Gratitude System that’s filled with a variety of powerful tools to keep you on the right track toward experiencing your greatest life yet. So don’t let overthinking and limiting beliefs stand in your way and start shifting into an unbreakable gratitude mindset.
