Overthinking: What It Is and How to Stop Doing It?
What is Overthinking?
Do you ever find yourself going over the same thoughts inside your head over and over, such as worrying about the future or stressing about things that have already happened? If so, you are not alone. Overthinking is a common problem, and it can be tough to stop doing it. In this blog post, we will discuss what overthinking is, and we will give you some tips on how to overcome it!
Overthinking can be described as “thinking about something too much or for too long.” It can be a normal part of life, but it can also become problematic. When overthinking becomes excessive, it can lead to worry, rumination, stress, anxiety, and depression.
There are many reasons why people overthink things. Some people do it because they want to be prepared for every possible outcome. Others do it because they’re trying to control a situation that is out of their control. Others do it because they’re afraid of making a mistake.
Whatever the reason, overthinking can be detrimental to your mental and emotional health. It can make you feel anxious, depressed or stressed, and it can interfere with your ability to make decisions. If you find yourself overthinking, there are a few things you can do to stop.
How to Reduce Overthinking?
First, try to become aware of when you’re doing it. Once you’re aware that you’re overthinking, you can start to catch yourself in the act. When we become aware of something, we can do something about it. When we are not aware that we are overthinking, then we won’t be able to do something helpful in response
Second, try to focus on the present moment. Overthinking usually happens when we’re worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. If you can focus on the present, it will be easier to stop overthinking. Practicing mindfulness is the act of being present in the moment and accepting things as they are.
When you’re overthinking, you’re usually stuck in your head, worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. Bring yourself back to the present moment.
Focus on your senses (what you can see, hear, smell, taste and touch), on what your body is doing right now, or on your breath.
Third, challenge your thoughts. If you’re in the middle of a situation that is causing you to overthink, take a step back and try to look at it from a different perspective. Once you catch yourself in the act of overthinking, ask yourself if your thoughts are really true. Are you really going to make a mistake? Is something really as bad as you’re making it out to be?
Lastly, practice some self-compassion. Beating yourself up for overthinking will only make the problem worse. Give yourself a break, ask yourself what you would say to a friend to support them in this situation, what tone of voice would you use? Then see if you can use that kinder, friendlier voice towards yourself.
If you’re struggling with overthinking then CBT therapists are especially helpful in this area. A Cognitive Behavioural Therapist can help you understand the root cause of your overthinking and give you tools to overcome it. CBT is a type of therapy that helps people change the way they think about and respond to situations. It can help you learn how to better manage your thoughts and emotions.
Overthinking is a common problem, but it doesn’t have to control your life. By being aware of when you’re doing it and changing the way you think about things, you can overcome overthinking and live a happier, more peaceful life.
At Suaimhneas Cork CBT Therapy and Mindfulness Training we can help you to reduce overthinking, to better deal with stress, anxiety and depression, to regain your health, energy and vibrancy, so you can focus on the things that matter to you in your life.
If you wish to learn more about how CBT Therapy can help feel free to click on the links below:
CBT for Generalized Anxiety (GAD)
Autism Counselling and Psychotherapy for Adults
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Feel free to contact us at Suaimhneas CBT Therapy Cork and Mindfulness if you have any questions or if you would like to to book an appointment. Don’t hesitate to get in touch on our contact form below.
