Overthinking involves replaying conversations and scenarios in our heads and worrying about future interactions. Learning how to control these thoughts can help decrease future negative interactions and overthinking.

Mindfulness

Approaches like mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy can prove useful in managing overthinking. This can include doing a body relaxation technique, practicing yoga, and performing breathing exercises. These approaches can be used anywhere, help you to become more in tune with your thoughts and feelings, and give you a strategy to cope with negative thoughts. Mindfulness is a helpful approach to freeing the mind when your emotions become out of control.

Confidence building

A lack of self-confidence is one of the main reasons for overthinking. When you don’t trust yourself and your decisions, you might start to pick apart all the things that can go wrong during an interaction or how awkward you look or sound. To begin training yourself to avoid these thoughts, try practicing positive self-talk. Boosting your confidence will allow you to be more mentally prepared for any situation. Self-esteem can also be enhanced with more experience and success in the activity making you feel anxious, so although it may be scary to get started, putting in time and effort will pay off.

Control negative thoughts

If you find yourself in a situation where these negative thoughts enter your mind, try using a technique called “thought-stopping”, which aims to control anxiety-provoking thoughts before spiraling out of control. As soon as negative thoughts begin to enter your brain, refocus your attention to something neutral or even pleasant.

If you are struggling with overthinking and putting anxious thoughts to rest, talk to your Dario coach about learning strategies to help you ease your mind.

References

BH-0020 RevA