How to Stop Overthinking

It’s the middle of the night and you’re staring at the ceiling, unable to get your mind to stop running through a scenario from the day. Or, you can’t press send on an email that’s been sitting in your draft folder, for fear that it’s not worded exactly right. Friends ask you what you might want to do this weekend, and you feel paralyzed by answering because what if you’re rejected?

Nearly 73% of 25 to 35-year-olds and 52% of 45 to 55-year-olds experience overthinking in their day-to-day lives, according to an article on Talkiatry, referencing a study by Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, et al. While overthinking itself is not a mental health disorder, it can lead to an increase in anxiety and depression, and moreover, create an inability to manage difficult feelings with appropriate coping skills.

When life’s stressors become overwhelming or intolerable, it can lead to overthinking, which creates an accidental loop of feeling stuck in the situation or thought cycle. Or, catastrophizing the situation, potentially causing actions or thoughts that can lead to a more negative outcome. Perfectionism can be a less obvious form of overthinking, as it is often marked with high achieving behaviors, while internally there can be pressure or doubt in one’s competency or abilities.

Overthinking, like anxiety, often indicates a deep care of performing well or a desire to stay aligned with deeply held values. However, getting out of the loop of overthinking and into skills to reframe and stay mindful, allow for positive action moving forward, rather than feeling “held hostage” by ruminating thoughts. The antidote to overthinking is a development of skills to identify the core fear and orchestrate a plan of action to lead you to what you want.

Reach out to us for a free phone consult or book an appointment and let’s get started helping you manage your anxieties and stay grounded and at peace.