Overthinking: Three Steps to Crush it
Overthinking is something we all do from time to time. We ruminate on things that have happened in the past, or worry excessively about things that might happen in the future. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and stress, and can even prevent us from taking action altogether.
So what can we do about it?
Learn to Recognize the Signs of Overthinking
One of the first steps to combating overthinking is to learn to recognize when you’re doing it. Pay attention to when your mind starts racing, or when you find yourself fixating on a certain thought or worry.
If you notice that your thoughts are preventing you from enjoying your life or participating in activities you used to enjoy, that’s a sign that you might be overthinking.
Challenge Your Thoughts
Once you’ve identified the signs of overthinking, you can start to challenge the thoughts that are causing you stress.
When you find yourself fixating on a particular worry, take a step back and ask yourself whether there’s any evidence to support it. More often than not, you’ll find that your worries are unfounded. In other cases, you may realize that there’s nothing you can do about the thing you’re worried about — in which case, worrying…
