Are You an Overthinker?
Tips to Clear Your Head
If you find yourself constantly overanalyzing life you aren't just hurting your mental health, but you could be compromising your physical health as well. Studies at the University of California, San Diego found that people who think too much could be in danger of weaker immune systems, depression, and higher blood pressure and heart rates. Take steps to slow down the thoughts and gain control of your life.
1. Overthinking isn't Helping
Realize that repetitive thoughts are not going to change the situation. In Susan Nolen-Hoeksema's book, Women Who Think Too Much: How to Break Free of Overthinking and Reclaim Your Life [ Henry Holt and Co., 2004], she says the first step is to realize that overthinking is a destructive behavior. Dwelling on circumstances, past or future, keeps you stuck in the very situation that is bringing you so much anxiety.
2. Free Your Mind through Distraction
Nolen-Hoeksema's research discovered that distracting overthinkers, even for just 8 minutes, provided relief from repetitive thoughts and lifted their spirits. When you feel the "thought mill" take over, try engaging in a healthy distraction to take your mind off the obsessive point of focus.
3. Clear Your Head with Meditation
The benefits of meditation have been proclaimed for many years. Author and meditation expert, Sakyong Mipham speaks to the positive results of meditation in his book, Ruling Your World [Broadway, 2005]. He says that meditation helps familiarize individuals with letting go; thoughts come up and are released during meditation. This process can be helpful in other aspects of life. Visit Mindtools.com for simple instructions on how to meditate. Even just 10 minutes a day can help.
4. Thoughts are Just Thoughts
When your mind is going 90 to nothing, it helps to take a step back and realize that you are giving up control to your head.
In bestselling author and therapist, Richard Carlson's book, You Can Be Happy No Matter What: Five Principles Your Therapist Never Told You, he suggests reminding yourself that a "'thought' is an impersonal element of our existence." Try considering thoughts from a more detached scientific view-- thoughts are just a product of mental activity generated by an organ (the brain). This might help you gain more control over them.
5. Positive Thinking
It sounds corny, but if you are going to ruminate, try thinking about the positive aspects of your life. Most overthinkers are turning negative thoughts over and over again in their head. When your thoughts turn to the negatives in your life, try to focus on the positive. Replacing those thoughts with constructive ones can do wonders for your psyche.
Don't let your thoughts get the best of you. If you are a chronic overthinker start taking steps today to break the cycle.
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