Ruminating about things in the past doesn’t help your emotional well-being.
How often do you find yourself thinking about things you couldn’t do, or left them unfinished? We often think too much about a particular situation, or keep diving into our past and think about things which don’t necessarily have an answer or even a solution. In the process, what we forget is that it doesn’t matter because it’s not a part of our lives anymore.
Living in the past has never done good to anyone. Whether it’s a pleasant thought or a depressing one, you need to remember that it has passed and it’s time to create new memories. Here’s how you can stop overthinking your life.
Realise it: Ruminating about such things doesn’t help your emotional well-being. The first step to stop overthinking your life is by realising the fact that you’re thinking too much. When you find yourself day dreaming, stop then and there. You will explore things about yourself you didn’t know even existed. The key is to realise and improvise.
Understand the difference between worrying and overthinking: When you think about something in the present or the future that is bothering you and you’re unsure of the outcome, that’s called worrying. Thinking about things which were or were not a part of your past and wondering is overthinking. Understand the difference there.
Take action: If you’re overthinking a decision and going into the “what ifs”, it’s time to stop and just decide what you feel is right. You’re saving your own time and energy. Decide what you need to do and go for it. Don’t allow yourself to dive into the ifs and buts of a situation too much.
Divert your attention: When you aren’t being able to stop overthinking, try diverting your attention. Pick something which needs you to use a lot of attention so you don’t start overthinking again. You could play a sport or speak to a friend, but make sure you talk about something else and don’t discuss your thoughts unless it’s really bothering you. Because more often than not, it might just be you who’s giving importance to a petty thing.
Let your thoughts pass: It isn’t necessary to get worked up by every thought and to work on every thought that crosses your mind. Start by being aware of your thoughts and listen to them, but don’t judge or respond to them. Let your thoughts then pass. Doing this makes you feel calmer than before.
Practice it: Overthinking for too long turns into a habit and not everyone can break a habit that easily. Be patient ‘coz it takes a lot of time to get rid of it. So practise it till you stop overthinking.
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