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The brain is a wonderful organ. It is the source of all thoughts and action. But, sometimes your brain can get ahead of you and you could start overthinking. According to Healthline, overthinking is the tendency to ruminate on an idea or thought or constantly anticipating a situation that may or may not happen.
Once you start overthinking it is often hard to stop, and it can be seriously distressing. Luckily there are some things you can do to slow your brain down and think clearly again. Here are four ways that you can train yourself to stop overthinking.
Pay Attention to Your Emotions
A lot of times overthinking is triggered by or tangled up in an emotional response to something. One of the best things you can do to calm your thoughts is to take a step back and ask yourself what you are feeling. Are you angry? Anxious? Scared? Naming your emotions is one of the first things you can do to stop racing thoughts.
Do Something for Somebody
Another thing you can do to help quell your negative thoughts is to do something to help someone else, suggested mindbodygreen. Happiness is often stored in being of service to others. It doesn’t matter whether you are cooking some food for a sick friend, or paying for a stranger’s coffee at your local cafe, just the act of making someone else’s day better will make your day better.
Remain Compassionate
It is easy to become judgemental when suffused with negative and overwhelming thoughts. However, one of the keys to stopping those negative thoughts is to refrain from judging and to remain neutral and compassionate. Try to observe yourself and the world around you from a non-judgemental stance. And Healthline noted, the world in this case, also includes yourself.
Acknowledge Your Success
One of the more troublesome aspects of overthinking is the tendency anxious thoughts have to overshadow any positive thoughts. That is why it is a good idea to start tracking your successes when you are caught in a web of negativity. These don’t have to be big successes. Making your bed in the morning is enough to count as a success. Soon enough, they will start to add up and you will find that making these lists of your daily accomplishments can help you stay positive.
So the next time you find yourself overcome with racing thoughts and anxiety, slow down, take a step back and follow these four tips to stop overthinking, calm you, and help you get back on track.
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