For those of us who struggle with the dreaded ANXIETY, we can sometimes get stuck in Paralysis Analysis – an inability to make a decision because we are OVERTHINKING it.

This often happens when we feel like there are simply too many variables and we don’t know which one to focus on or which one to pick. Worrying and overthinking are part of the human experience, but when left unchecked, they can take a toll on your well-being. Dwelling on the same thoughts may even increase your risk of certain mental health conditions, so it follows that we can benefit from a few things that will help us stop overthinking.

Tips to stop overthinking:

1. Pick up pen and paper – journal your thoughts and the feelings associated with it.  Simply put your pen to paper and WRITE!!!
   • This will allow you to get the thoughts OUT OF YOUR HEAD and onto paper where you can look at them to see if they make sense or if you need to adjust your perspective. 
2. Adjust your perspective
   • Is this the only way to look at this problem? No?  What is another way to look at it.
   • If there were THREE different ways to look at the problem, what would they be?
   • Which would you prefer?

1. Tell your brain a new story
   • Tell your brain the preferred story. See what happens to your body as you tell your brain this story.
   • • You may not believe it, at first, but do your best to convince it. 
       • After all, the story you told yourself when you began analyzing this situation was something you told yourself at one time and your brain decided to accept it. 
   • Notice your body adjusting as you tell it the new story
     • Notice how you feel as you begin to CHOOSE to accept this new story.
2. Distract yourself with something you enjoy and that requires some brain power.
   • Do a puzzle, sodoku, or something that interests you.
3. BREATHE – deeply, in and out through your nose – allowing your brain to be bathed in fresh oxygen filled with this new perspective. 

Practice, Practice, Practice.  It took some time for you to begin to feel this way and over-analyze everything so it will take a bit of time to have your brain accept the new story, but persistence wins the battle. 

If you need more help with creating new perspectives, reach out to me.  I have a 3-month program that helps women release anxiety by shedding old perspectives and learning new ones.  I would love to hear from you.  Book an appointment today!!!!