3 Ways to Stop Overthinking Immediately

The mind enjoys thinking and always seems to want your undivided attention. In fact, the mind can be likened to that of a five-year-old child at times. That’s because it demands its own way and refuses to sit still. It can even be so reckless that it causes us to think and even say things we would not normally say in a more relaxed and quiet setting. This is referred to as overthinking.

If you let your brain run a mile a minute without ever interjecting, it will continue to be insane until you realise your mind has slowly become a prison. Learning to quiet your mind rather than distracting it can be one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself.

3 Ways to Stop Overthinking Immediately

Make contact with nature.

You need this the most if you don’t live or work in nature. Take some time to enjoy nature. This could include taking a lunch break in a nearby park or taking a vacation to get away. Anything you can do to strengthen your connection with nature will immediately benefit your mind and help you stop overthinking.

You can concentrate on the beauty of the trees, a leaf, a waterfall, the sky, mountains, a lake, or whatever appeals to you. This will immediately bring your mind to a halt. Allowing yourself to do so will allow you to think more clearly throughout the day.

Repeat calming phrases to yourself.

Pay attention to your brain right now…what kinds of thoughts do you notice? Most likely, you will notice that the majority of your thoughts revolve around what you have to do today, what someone said that irritated you, or even derogatory thoughts about yourself. But don’t feel bad; with so much negativity around us, it’s not always easy to maintain a consistent positive mindset. However, you can counteract negative words and overthinking by repeating peaceful words.

When you notice yourself overthinking or feeling anxious or worried, stop those thoughts in their tracks with calming words as soon as you notice them.

Here are some examples: Peace, love, and light. It’s all right. Life is wonderful. I’m fine.

While this will not completely silence your mind, it will stop overthinking and allow your mind to slow down and focus on what is truly important in this moment. Words have a lot of meaning and power, so use them to your advantage when you’re stressed.

Practice meditation.

We recommend meditation frequently on our website, and for good reason. When you meditate, you stop the flow of overthinking and negative thoughts that bombard your mind every second and instead enter a space where stillness reigns supreme.

While you don’t have to turn off your brain to meditate, many people report that their thoughts slow down dramatically and overthinking ceases immediately.

If you try it but still can’t stop thinking, try guided meditation or yoga. These practises increase body awareness and make it much easier to deal with daily challenges.