So many of us fall in the trap of overthinking. I’m doing this episode by request from some of my listeners who wanted to know how to stop overthinking. The habit of overthinking prevents us from taking action, causes undo stress and impairs our decision making abilities. I’m going to share with you how to recognize if you are overthinking and give you strategies on how to manage overthinking in your life. Listen in for helpful tips and my suggested books for getting rid of unnecessary overthinking.
What is Overthinking?
Merriam Webster defines this word as, To think too much about something, or to put too much time into thinking about or analyzing something, in a way that is more harmful than helpful.
For example, when you think too much, instead of acting and doing things, you are overthinking. When you analyze, comment and repeat the same thoughts over and again, instead of acting, you are overthinking.
Some of the most common triggers and causes of overthinking are anxiety, perfectionism, and past experiences. So how to we even recognize that we are overthinking if it is so engrained in our processes and in our minds?
RELATED: Breathe Your Way To Calm
How to Recognize When You Are Overthinking
There are several signs and symptoms of overthinking, like racing thoughts, indecision, and mental fatigue. These secondary symptoms can cause stress, reduced productivity, and impaired decision-making.
This habit prevents you from taking action. It consumes your energy, disables your ability to make decisions, and puts you on a loop of thinking and thinking over and again.
This is a mental habit that wastes your time and energy and prevents you from acting, doing new things and making progress in your life.
Steps on How to Manage Overanalyzing
1. Step back and look at how you’re responding.
2. Find a distraction.
3. Take a deep breath.
4. Meditate.
5. Look at the bigger picture.
6. Do something nice for someone else.
7. Recognize automatic negative thoughts
8. Acknowledge your successes.
Practical techniques like mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation can help to calm the mind.
Resources and Tips to Help You Squash the Cycle of Overthinking
One of my favorite resources for helping to stop overthinking in its tracks is the app CALM. The CALM app is a wonderful, tangible resource that provides an extensive library of guided meditations, Sleep Stories, breath work, exclusive music, and stretching exercises. You can find more information about it here and download it from Google Play Store or the App Store on iOS.
I also find it extremely important that you develop a growth mindset and resilience. Overtime, and with the proper coaching, this can help you reduce overthinking.
I also love these two books. Check them out to help you stop overthinking in its tracks:
Reclaim Your Brain by Joseph Annibali
Stillness Speaks by Eckhart Tolle.
Overthinking is a difficult construct to overcome on your own. As a highly successful woman, you may find that overthinking stops you in your tracks from making big (or even small!) decisions which can affect your personal and professional life.
A success coach can help give you the strategies you need to help squash your overthinking tendencies.
Interested? Schedule a call with me below, and listen to the podcast for more on how to stop overthinking and quiet your mind!
If you’re looking for coaching opportunities to live your life to the fullest you can learn more here about my one-on-one coaching opportunities or my Flourishing Edge Membership with my Flourishing Edge program.
