Overthinking

None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.

How this was put together

If you only read a few

  1. Let thoughts enter your head and pass without resisting or judging them.

    This prevents you from becoming 'invested' in your thoughts.

    3 people, independently

  2. When thoughts feel too heavy, jot them down in a notebook to move them out of your mind.

    Recording them somewhere external can help reduce the tendency to ruminate on them.

    5 people, independently

  3. Let go of the past and others' choices; concentrate on becoming your best self.

    3 people, independently

  4. Read or listen to 'How to Stop Worrying and Start Living' by Dale Carnegie.

    7 people, independently

  5. Begin meditating to determine which thoughts deserve attention and which should be released.

    It serves as a robust method for releasing intrusive thinking.

    • It can be hard.

    3 people, independently

  1. Sort life events into controllable and uncontrollable buckets, directing your effort solely toward the former.

    Most human distress arises from investing excessive time and attention in matters beyond one's influence.

    3 people, independently

  2. Build new habits in small steps to help reduce overthinking.

    3 people, independently

    • Interrupt overthinking cycles by performing mundane physical tasks like cleaning or getting a drink.3
  3. Start meditating at least three times a week for ten minutes each day, using guided meditation at first.

    3 people, independently

  4. Perform square breathing by visualizing or drawing a square, counting to four per side while inhaling on one edge and exhaling on the opposite.

    3 people, independently

1 more on this
  1. Apply mindfulness methods such as deep breathing, meditation, or situational awareness to stay present instead of dwelling on past or future events.

    4 people, independently

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