The Art Of Letting Go With Positivity: How To Break Free From Overthinking

Ravi Chandhar P B

November 7, 2023

Last updated: August 12, 2024

Table of Contents

How To Stop Overthinking?

“Sometimes Overthinking Is The Biggest Cause Of Unhappiness!“

“Making a mountain out of a molehill.” – All of you might have heard about this idiom that talks about exaggerating and thinking about a problem or making it seem much larger and more complex than it really is.

You might often think you’re the only one lying awake at night, ruminating over a decision you made earlier in the day or fretting about tomorrow’s tasks. However, you’re not alone. Studies indicate that 73% of individuals aged 25 to 35 tend to overthink and have imposter syndrome chronically, and this also affects 52% of those between the ages of 45 and 55.

Thinking about a conversation repeatedly in your head can create patterns of thoughts. This is commonly known as overthinking, and many individuals engage in it without conscious awareness. Overthinking ingrains pathways of concern, panic, and anxiety in one’s thought process, which in turn can lead to heightened stress and physical repercussions. Over time, excessive rumination can weaken the body’s immunity.

The Constant Fight Between You And Your Mind

Thinking is a mentally demanding activity that consumes a considerable amount of our energy. It is estimated that an average person generates approximately 60,000 thoughts each day, yet only a small fraction of them are genuinely new.

Consequently, most of our day is spent thinking deeply about recurring thoughts without us even realizing it. The energy we emit while thinking about negative thought cycles is associated with emotions like depression and fear, often resulting in profound unhappiness for both ourselves and those around us.

But the real question is, “Can we really stop overthinking”? While the absolute answer is No, there are, however, a few ways through which you can overcome overthinking to a certain extent.

“8 Gem” Steps To Beat Overthinking

How To Stop Overthinking?

1. The Problem Is Rarely The Problem

99% of the harm is caused in your head by you and your thoughts.

1% of the harm is caused by the reality, what actually happens, and the outcome.

Most of the time, the problem isn’t the problem. The way you think about the problem is.

Thus, the best way is to stop thinking in a two-way street and learn to either accept or deny your thoughts.

2. Avoid Self-rejection

Feeling unsure about whether you deserve that opportunity?

Apply for it anyway!

Feeling unsure whether your article is good enough?

Publish it anyway!

Feeling unsure whether they’ll reply to your email the way you expect?

Send it anyway!

Never overthink yourself into self-rejection. Just face the end result & process it accordingly

3. Silence And Time

The truth is that most problems cannot be solved by overthinking

You’ll find most of the answers you’re looking for in silence, in time, and with a clear mind.

Thus, if you can’t solve a problem, stop trying to solve it.

4. Ask Yourself Those Important Questions

When you start criticizing yourself for past mistakes or seeing disaster around every corner, ask yourself:- “Is there anything I can do right now to change the past or positively influence the future?”

If the answer is yes, do it – Take Action!

If the answer is no, be at peace – Let It Go!

You have to either take action or let it go; otherwise, it could turn to self-harm.

5. Believe In The Power Of Now

You’re not going to overthink your way to a better future.

You’re not going to overthink your way to a better past.

All you have is now!

And what you can do with now can make right of your past and make good for your future.

Make peace with YESTERDAY, Let go of TOMORROW, and Grab hold of NOW!

6. Fact-Check Your Own Thoughts

Your thoughts will create scenarios in your mind that reflect your insecurities, fears, and worries

So it’s important to always fact-check your own thoughts before accepting them.

This is because, in highly emotional situations your thoughts will tell you stories that aren’t true.

“Fact Checking Yourself Is Important”

7. Acceptance Is Peace

Anxiety has no power to alter your future, nor can it reshape your past.

So be in peace with acceptance

Accept Imperfections
Accept Uncertainty
Accept The Uncontrollable.

You don’t have to understand, tolerate, or even forget something, but if you want peace, learn to accept it.

8. Health Starts With Your Mind

You can go to the gym, Eat healthy, Do yoga and Drink water.

But if you don’t directly confront the negativity in your thoughts you will never truly be healthy. A person’s health isn’t measured on scales by the size of our muscles or by the width of our waist.

True health is measured by the quality of your thoughts and the peacefulness of your mind.

When To Seek A Doctor’s Help?

According to me, knowing when to seek medical advice to control overthinking can vary from person to person. According to Dr. Dattilo, some individuals may find their thoughts to be intrusive or excessively distressing, while others might struggle with rumination to a greater extent. In such cases where your capacity to function is impaired, it is advisable to consider consulting a mental health expert. Therapy can be a valuable tool to differentiate between productive and unproductive concerns.

Embrace Clarity: Your Mind Deserves a Break

While it may sound simple for me to suggest, it ultimately falls upon you to take the initiative. If you aspire to implement the strategies mentioned above, start by cultivating a supportive environment filled with positive friends, colleagues, and family members. If any of these relationships are less than ideal, it’s crucial to reflect on your own expectations. Try to find and understand what you desire from others and strive to embody those qualities yourself. By doing so, you can create an environment where others naturally gravitate towards you. Remember, it’s a matter of giving before you can expect to receive in return.

Article By,

Ravi Chandhar P B
Engineering Manager