We are human. We feel and we think. As a result of that, we act.
That is what we do. That is what makes us different from animals. That is what defines us.
That basically means that as living, human beings, we have a constant flow of thoughts in our minds. Whatever we do, wherever we go, however busy we are, our thoughts are always there to haunt us, make us wonder or confuse us.
Still, that doesn’t mean that we are powerless. The trick lies in knowing which of those are worthy to engage with.
However, there are people who find it hard to control their flow of thoughts and so, they are constantly attacked with a random barrage of thoughts every day. These people are called chronic overthinkers.
They second-guess, they doubt, they imagine disastrous scenarios, they overthink every little thing.
If you are one of them and you feel like you could use some help calming your mind, keep reading. These are 6 effective ways to get out of your mind and stop overthinking everything:
1. Start paying attention to what goes on in your mind. Overthinking becomes the scariest, little habit when you choose to repress your thoughts instead of recognizing them when they are bothering you. Notice when you are stuck in your head. Face your thoughts head-on so you can become more aware of the issue.
2. Focus on solving the problems instead of dwelling them. If it is something that you have some control over, don’t hesitate to take matters into your hands and prevent the problem from growing even bigger. If it is something that is out of your hands, think about all the strategies you could use to cope with it.
3. Look at the bigger picture. Every time you feel like you are going out of your mind overthinking something trivial, try to find a way to widen your perspective by asking yourself one crucial question. Will this matter in 10 years?
4. Don’t let vague fears paralyze you. Don’t fall into those traps that your mind usually sets for you. The more you overthink, the more terrifying your fears become. Instead, start practicing mindfulness. Let go of the what-if and focus on the present moment. Be aware of THE HERE and NOW. That is all that matters anyway.
5. Change the channel in your brain. No, I am not saying you should avoid your thoughts and repress them. All I am saying is that you should try changing the channel every once in a while. Sounds easier said than done, but you won’t know before you try it. Start by engaging in more productive and creative activities.
6. Understand that you cannot control everything. In the end, accept the fact that you cannot be in control of all things. You are not powerful enough to do so. And you shouldn’t be. Life is unpredictable. But that is the beauty of it. Let go of your need to be in control of everything and try to enjoy spontaneity.
