Overthinking is a universal experience everyone encounters at least once in their lives. However, when overthinking becomes a habit, it can be damaging and cause frustration and anxiety. While you may learn this thinking pattern over time and find it difficult to get rid of, you can unlearn it by taking positive action.
How to Stop Overthinking and Ease Anxiety
Many people are aware they overthink but cannot give an answer why. While stress and worry are just emotions, your entire well-being will begin experiencing adverse effects when they become a fixation. Here are some solutions to help you stop overthinking and improve the health of your body and mind:
- Recognize thought patterns: Two common thought patterns to recognize are ruminating and worrying. Ruminating occurs when a sad or dark thought constantly runs through your mind. Worrying happens when you anticipate and stress about anything in your life going wrong.
- Overcome limiting beliefs: If you tell yourself you’re naturally an overthinker, this belief makes it even harder to break the cycle. Identify the negative things you tell yourself and replace them with positive statements.
- Move away from the past: Many overthink because they focus on what could have happened instead of what occurred. To move forward, forgive others and forgive yourself for what previously happened.
- Focus on the present: When you begin overthinking, pause and focus on the current moment. Soon, pausing and refocusing will become second nature.
- Control your emotions: Identifying the cause of your feelings will allow you to stop overthinking before you even start.
- Find a solution: After you’ve found the reason for your overthinking, the next step is to take measures to make a lasting positive solution for it.
Effects of Overthinking
While overthinking may give you a temporary sense of relief, it negatively impacts your health and relationships with others. Overthinking can cause physical health effects such as headaches and stomach pain and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
Spending extended periods thinking about one subject will negatively impact your self-esteem. Your partner or friend may be receptive to your emotions when you overthink. As a result of this discomfort, many find it hard to form relationships due to an inability to develop deep, lasting bonds.
Schedule an Appointment Online Today With Taylor Counseling Group
If you are having difficulty breaking free from the cycle of overthinking, it is wise to consider professional help. Our mental health experts are ready to assist you with any overthinking and anxiety. Schedule an appointment online today to start the first steps on your journey of improving your mental health.
