If you’re anything like me, you overthink everything. Every decision, both big and small, gets second guessed and mulled over for days (or even weeks!) before being acted on. If you’re ready to take back control of your life and stop overthinking everything, here are five strategies that can help:

1. Be mindful of your thought patterns

The first step to changing any behavior is becoming aware of it. Start paying attention to when and why you overthink things. Is there a particular trigger that sets you off? Is it something specific, like making a presentation at work, or is it something more general, like decision-making in general?

Once you’ve identified your triggers, you can start to work on changing your thought patterns.

2. Challenge your negative thoughts

We’re often our own worst critics, and the negative thoughts that run through our heads can be extremely harmful. If you catch yourself thinking something negative, take a step back and ask yourself if it’s really true.

For example, if you’re thinking “I’m not good enough”, ask yourself “what evidence do I have to support this?”. Chances are, you’ll struggle to come up with anything!

3. Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment and focusing on your thoughts and feelings without judgement. It can be helpful to practice mindfulness when you’re not feeling overwhelmed so that you can learn to recognize the early signs of overthinking.

There are lots of different ways to practice mindfulness, but a simple way to start is to focus on your breath. Sit or lie down in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Focus your attention on your breath and try to count each inhale and exhale. If your mind wanders, simply return your focus to your breath.

4. Find a hobby or activity that helps you relax

For me, drawing is a great way to relax and switch off from overthinking. It allows me to focus on something else and be creative, which is a nice break from analyzing everything to death!

Find an activity that you enjoy and that helps you relax. It could be something active like going for a run or playing a sport, or something more passive like reading, listening to music or spending time in nature.

5. Seek professional help

If you’ve tried all of the above strategies and you’re still struggling to control your overthinking, it may be time to seek professional help. A therapist can help you to understand the root cause of your overthinking and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

If you’re ready to put an end to overthinking, give these strategies a try. It takes time and practice to break old habits, but it’s worth it to live a more peaceful and enjoyable life.