If it is 3 am already and you find yourself thinking about something that someone said two weeks ago or that presentation you failed to deliver due to valid reasons, then it is time to accept that you have become an overthinker. While it is normal for us to overthink our failures and problems, especially owing to the pandemic times that we are living in, but it is not normal to let this continue.

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Overthinking leads to stress and exhaustion. Your mind is not a machine. It already processes more than the required limit of information every day and exposing it to unnecessary pressure will hamper your mental health. But how to stop? How to make your brain understand that it isn’t worth it?

On World Mental Health Day, take a look at these easy ways to train your mind not to overthink.

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Relax and meditate

Easy to say hard to do, we know. Telling your mind to relax is the most stressful thing to do but it is time to understand that it comes with time. Tell yourself that it is necessary for you to let things take their own course and sometimes stuff happens.

Whenever your find overthinking one particular incident or about a person. Sit back or lie down. Relax and take deep breaths.

Appreciate the present 

Rather than thinking about what has already been done and you have no control over. Think about the time and opportunities you have and the ones still to come. Try giving your 100% to your present.

Distract yourself

When your brain starts going where it is not needed, start doing something else. Something that interests you and sounds fun. Listen to music, paint, cook, go for a walk, sing, do whatever you feel like, just indulge yourself and force your brain to think about something else.

Also Read: How digital media makes you a dopamine addict

Look at the bigger picture

Sometimes things that happen to us seem like the end of your life. We may think that it is not right or we don’t deserve it or a hundred other things. It just seems troubling at the time and we dwell on it a lot.

We must understand that many a time there is a greater good hidden in things that don’t go our way. When we understand this, half of the problem seems sorted.

Seek professional help

If none of that helps and overthinking is causing you troubles. It might be time to consider a professional or therapist’s opinion. Mental health needs equal attention as physical health and seeing a therapist onc in a while does no harm.