Overthinking: How to Stop and Live a More Balanced Life

Why did I write this blog?

Overthinking is a common problem that can have a negative impact on our mental and emotional health. It can lead to stress, anxiety, and worry. If you're a 20-year-old who is struggling with overthinking, there are things you can do to manage it. I was also facing this issue so sharing my personal techniques to solve this problem.

What is overthinking?

Overthinking is when you think about something too much, to the point where it becomes counterproductive. It can be a symptom of anxiety or other mental health conditions, but it can also be a habit that people develop over time and this thing just wastes time.

Why do we overthink?

There are many reasons why we overthink. Some of the most common reasons include:

1. Anxiety: Overthinking is often a symptom of anxiety. When we're anxious, our brains are constantly scanning for threats, and this can lead to us ruminating on negative thoughts and worrying about the future.
2. Perfectionism: Perfectionists are often prone to overthinking. They may feel like they need to think about everything perfectly in order to avoid making mistakes, and this can lead to them getting stuck in a cycle of negative thoughts and self-doubt.
3. Trauma: If we've experienced trauma in our past, we may be more likely to overthink. This is because our brains may be trying to process the trauma and make sense of it, and this can lead to us getting stuck in negative thought patterns which are influenced by our past experiences and your brain wants to protect us from threats.
4. Low self-esteem: People with low self-esteem may be more likely to overthink. This is because they may have a negative view of themselves and their abilities, and this can lead to them worrying about things that they might not need to worry about.
   This is why, I say, I am the best, all the time. You have to be your first supporter when you start and the only support when you fall. Build yourself so big that nobody can match you.
5. Avoidance: Sometimes, we overthink as a way of avoiding something that we're afraid of. For example, if we're afraid of public speaking, we might start to overthink the details of our presentation, which can prevent us from actually giving the presentation.

How to stop overthinking

If you find yourself overthinking, there are things you can do to manage it.

1. Identify your triggers: What are the things that seem to trigger your overthinking? Once you know what your triggers are, you can start to avoid them or develop coping mechanisms for dealing with them.
2. Challenge your negative thoughts: When you find yourself thinking negative thoughts, ask yourself if they're really true. Are you really going to fail that test? Is your boss really going to fire you? Chances are, your thoughts are not as realistic as they seem.
3. Focus on the present moment: When you start to overthink, try to bring your attention back to the present moment. This can be done by focusing on your breath, or by paying attention to your surroundings.
4. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. There are many different ways to practice mindfulness, such as meditation or yoga. Mindfulness can help you to become more aware of your thoughts and feelings and to learn to let go of negative thoughts and emotions.
5. Seek professional help: If your overthinking is causing you significant distress, you may want to seek professional help. A therapist can help you identify the root of your overthinking and develop strategies for coping with it.

Develop a Healthy Coping Mechanism

A coping mechanism is a way of dealing with stress, anxiety, or other difficult emotions. Coping mechanisms can be healthy or unhealthy. Healthy coping mechanisms help us to manage our emotions in a constructive way, while unhealthy coping mechanisms can make our problems worse.

There are many different types of coping mechanisms, including:

1. Problem-focused coping: This type of coping involves trying to solve the problem that is causing us stress. For example, if we are feeling stressed about an upcoming exam, we might study more or create a study schedule.
2. Emotion-focused coping: This type of coping involves managing our emotional response to the stressor. For example, if we are feeling anxious about a job interview, we might take deep breaths or listen to calming music.
3. Social support: This type of coping involves seeking support from others. For example, we might talk to a friend or family member about our problems, or join a support group.
4. Relaxation techniques: This type of coping involves using relaxation techniques to reduce stress. For example, we might practice meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.
5. Your own mechanism: It can be anything like recording yourself and listening to it and helping yourself, or eating ice cream your favorite food, or maybe writing yourself and analyzing the root cause and solution and fixing it yourself in your own way but if you don't have it.

It is important to find coping mechanisms that work for us and that we can use consistently. If we are struggling to cope with stress, it is important to seek professional help. A therapist can help us to identify our coping mechanisms and to develop healthier ones.

Here are some additional tips for developing healthy coping mechanisms:

1. Be aware of your triggers: What are the things that seem to trigger your stress or anxiety? Once you know your triggers, you can start to avoid them or develop coping mechanisms for dealing with them.
2. Take care of yourself: Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly. Taking care of your physical and mental health will help you to feel better overall and to cope with stress more effectively.
3. Find healthy ways to express your emotions: This could include talking to a friend or family member, journaling, or engaging in creative activities.
4. Set realistic expectations: Don't set yourself up for failure by setting unrealistic expectations. Break down big goals into smaller, more manageable steps. This will help you to feel more in control and less overwhelmed.
5. Reward yourself: When you reach a goal, reward yourself with something you enjoy. This will help you to stay motivated and to feel good about your accomplishments.

Coping mechanisms can help us to manage stress and anxiety in a healthy way. If you are struggling to cope with stress, there are many resources available to help you. Talk to a friend, family member, or therapist to find coping mechanisms that work for you.

Quotes from great motivational speakers

"The mind is everything. What you think, you become." - Buddha

"The best way to predict the future is to create it." - Peter Drucker

"The only way to do great work is to love what you do." - Steve Jobs

"The mind is a powerful thing. When you fill it with positive thoughts, your life will start to change." - Joel Brown

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Conclusion

Overthinking can be a difficult habit to break, but it's not impossible. With time and effort, you can learn to manage your overthinking and live a more balanced and less stressful life. 

Remember, you are not alone in this, you are the best being you can do whatever you think, and think positively. Many people struggle with overthinking, and there are resources available to help them. If you're feeling overwhelmed, reach out to a friend, family member, or therapist for support.

Comment down your situation or text me on Instagram I will surely try to help you out in your situation if you have no one even yourself, I am with you to help you in your ovethinking problem.

It's iam_krishnsingh.