Overthinking is thinking about something too much or for too long. It can be energy-draining and challenging. Overthinking elevates your stress levels, reduces your creativity, clouds your judgment and strips you of your power to make decisions.
There are 2 patterns of thinking:
RUMINATE overthinking is when a person constantly thinks about past events, or memories, or is concerned about the uncertainty of the future.
The second type is PROBLEM-SOLVING. This overthinking occurs when a person is stuck thinking about a difficulty or problem.
Any type of overthinking can affect a person’s well-being and may lead to mental health issues like anxiety, depression or mood swings.
One strategy to overcome overthinking is to first identify, discuss and be Mindful.
Procrastination, being lazy, getting lost in thoughts like daydreaming are a few of the early stages of overthinking.
Overthinking can lead to negative thoughts about events that are yet to happen, hold you back from doing the things than can make you happy. It impacts your decision-making power and can push you into a state of confusion.
There are few simple steps to break the chain…
1. My Present Moments – Make a list of the active things that are in hand and start acting on it. 1st step towards working on “procrastination” and getting in action mode.
2. Get into some activity – Chose the activity which will help you to be equipped like book reading, dancing, Zumba, swimming etc. This will help to keep yourself busy and keep away from negative thoughts.
3. Self-Focus and deal with negative thoughts – Have self-analysis when you find yourself in an overthinking process. Stop yourself then and there. Divert yourself immediately to the thoughts which makes you feel calm and relax.
Fr. Ex. Write 5 things which you have done today/ recently/ last week which made you feel calm/ relax/ happy. Think about them and your role in that. Feel that peace at the moment.
4. Meditate – Spend at least 5-10mins for any meditation. You can choose as per your choice. All you need to get ready and do it.
5. Ask for help – You don’t need to do this alone. Ask for help if you seek it.
As NLP Practitioners, we have adaptive and customised approaches to reduce such mental fogs and help an individual lead a happy and confident life.
