Overthinking, despite the anxiety it causes us, can be addictive because it gives us a false sense of control. But if we’re honest with ourselves, we know that it uses up a lot of our energy. Your brain is redirecting energy to the part of it that is overthinking, making you inefficient and tired. As an over-thinker, you’re prone to depression, inability to concentrate, headaches and other debilitating conditions. 

Lessons from a Recovering Over-Thinker

One of the ways to dis-empower the negative feelings a bad habit like overthinking has over you is knowing that you’re not alone and if other people have overcome it then so can you. Shelley doesn’t talk about overcoming overthinking from the perspective of a spectator, she is one. In fact her latest book is titled, Think Less, Live More: Lessons from a Recovering Over-Thinker.

During the show, Shelley shared four steps that marry our intuition and cognitive process to help us handle overthinking.

The 4 Steps to Stop Overthinking and Take Action

For most of us, when we want to change, we tend to think that change has to be hard. If you want to lose weight, you think that you will have to starve yourself, walk around with a calculator to determine your calories and run 15km every day to achieve your goal. It’s overwhelming and will make you stop before you even finish.

It doesn’t have to be that way. You can make easy and gradual changes that are sustainable such as drinking more water, eating a big salad with one of your meals, choosing healthier snacks, walking for 15 minutes every day.

The same concept applies to Shelley Row’s 4 steps to overcome overthinking; they’re easy to follow and anyone can do it. You don’t have to meditate for 5 hours to tackle overthinking. 

As an over-thinker who is used to making all thought processes difficult, catch yourself if feel the urge to dismiss these steps because they don’t seem hard enough.

Pay Attention

The first step to overcoming overthinking is to pay attention to the fact that something is nagging you; recognize that you’re overthinking. 

Name the Overthinking

Once you’re aware of the nagging, then give it a name. Describe what is nagging you. If you’re worried then explore what it is that you’re worried about – Are you worried that your boss won’t support your new idea?

This is a very powerful part of the process and it’s something that you can do now. Take a pause now and ask yourself what it is that is nagging you.

Dig In

Now that you have identified what is nagging you, dig further to figure out why you feel and think the way that you do. Why do believe that your boss won’t support your new idea? Is it because he/ she never supports your ideas? Is it because you don’t think that your idea is good enough? Is it because you know your idea is good but your presentations are weak?

Combine Your Feelings and Thoughts

“You need to value what you think about it, as well as what you feel about it. And recognize that both of those are relevant and combine both of those. You’re looking for that decision that just feels right. And that’s where that gut instinct helps.”

Connect with Shelley Row

Website – www.shelleyrow.com/thinkless

LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyrow/

Blog – www.shelleyrow.com/thinkless/blog/

Twitter – Shelley Row