How Stop Over Thinking | Buddhism In English

A quick question: Are you experiencing sleepless nights because of the heavy loads of thoughts looping inside your mind? Or perhaps you're someone who imagines the worst-case scenarios whenever you're about to do something new? Or maybe you're someone who worries about what other people will think of you?

Well, if you are such a person, you might be overthinking. Let's find a way to get out of our heads, quit overthinking, and get things done.

So, what can we do for this?

The first and foremost thing you have to do is realize that overthinking is not going to help you in the process. You can plan, you can analyze, but do not overdo it. If you are over-planning, if you are over-analyzing, it's not going to help you. It will distract you from the process.

The second thing you can do is practice mindfulness. This is a practice that can help you stop overthinking. How can we practice mindfulness? There are many ways, but one effective method is to be mindful of your breathing pattern, which we call Anapanasati. When you become more mindful of your inhale and exhale, your mind instantly comes to the present moment. Now, you're only thinking about inhale and exhale, reducing those thousands of looping thoughts to just two thoughts.

So, whenever you catch yourself overthinking, take three deep breaths in and out, and just stay for a while, being mindful of your breathing pattern. Or, you can be mindful of your body. Ask yourself, "How am I sitting now? What am I doing now?" When you do these things, you can be more mindful. And when you're mindful, your mind is in the present moment, and you can find peace and stop overthinking.

There's a saying: "If you are sad, your mind is in the past. If you are anxious, your mind is in the future. But if you are peaceful and still, your mind is in the present moment." So, start living in the present moment. When you live in the present moment, you can be more peaceful and stop these overthinking patterns.

Another part of overthinking is the "what if" question. Many people constantly ask themselves, "What if this happened? What if this doesn't happen? What if everything I did was wrong?" They imagine these worst-case scenarios.

If you're thinking this "what if" question again and again, try asking yourself, "What if everything I did was okay?" Be positive. What if everything I've planned and done was really great? There are always many possibilities for your plans to go okay. So, don't be negative. Think, "I'm not going to be perfect. I cannot be perfect, but I can be the best version of myself. I can do my best. I must do my best." Be positive, take risks, because without taking risks, we cannot be successful in our lives.

So, practice being more mindful, be kind to yourself, and remember, if you overthink, if you constantly worry, it will kill the peacefulness of your life. I hope this helps you. Be peaceful, be mindful, get out of your head, and start doing the work you haven't done.

In conclusion, overcoming overthinking is a journey towards a more peaceful and mindful existence. By recognizing the patterns of overthinking and practicing mindfulness, we can learn to live in the present moment and let go of unnecessary worries and fears. Remember, overthinking only serves to distract us from the present and hinder our ability to take positive action. Embrace the practice of mindfulness, be kind to yourself, and let go of the need for perfection. By doing so, you can find peace, clarity, and the courage to pursue your goals without the burden of overthinking holding you back.