STOP over thinking!
Worrying about everything is bad for your health. Here are some easy ways to get out of the habit…
Your partner is flying off on a stag weekend abroad and you start to fret: What happens if the plane crashes?
Suddenly, you are a quivering wreck, imagining life without him.
Or your boss calls you in for a meeting and all you can think is: I’m getting sacked!
It turns out your partner returns in one piece (albeit hungover), and your boss simply wanted to talk about a colleague’s leaving collection.
You’ve worried yourself silly over… Nothing!
Welcome to the world of overthinking.
‘Overthinking is when you excessively analyse and worry about certain things, to a point where it starts affecting your mental health because you simply can’t stop,’ says Nick Trenton, an expert in behaviour psychology and author of Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress, Stop Negative Spirals, Declutter Your Mind, and Focus on the Present (Pkcs Media, Inc. £16.99).
Overthinking has been linked to ailments such as headaches, body aches and stomach problems, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
‘You can get overthinking under control,’ says Nick. ‘With strategies, and by making fundamental change to your attitudes and perceptions, you can break free of rumination and live to your true potential.’
DO I OVERTHINK?
You’ll know that overthinking is a problem for you if:
● You are often conscious of your own thoughts from moment to moment.
● There are many things you’re worried and concerned about.
● You repeatedly engage in negative thought patterns.
● You return to a thought numerous times, even when it’s in the past and nothing can be done about it.
● You have trouble making decisions and often doubt the choices you do make.
WHAT CAUSES OVERTHINKING?
Anxiety is at the heart of overthinking. Some of us are more vulnerable to feeling anxious than others.
‘Some believe it’s a matter of personality, or a question of a biological predisposition — something you inherited from your equally anxious parents,’ says Nick.
‘It’s also been observed that certain groups, such as women, experience it more, and that elements like diet, stressful lifestyles, past trauma and even culture have a part to play.’
How can I stop overthinking? These techniques can really help…
IDENTIFY YOUR STRESS
Keep a stress diary to record your levels of stress and triggers for overthinking. Analyse it later and take steps to manage stress. After a while, you may develop more spontaneous awareness in the moment.
REMEMBER THE 4 AS
Ultimately, there are only four possible ways to respond to any life stress…
Avoid
There’s a lot of
