How to quit OVERTHINKING

Mental health coach Melli O'Brien shares three simple strategies to stop doubt running your life

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Do you ever find yourself lost in racing thoughts, worrying about things that haven't even happened yet? Do you spend hours replaying past mistakes, second-guessing decisions or stressing about your problems?

Thinking through all our challenges, planning for the future and reflecting on the past are all essential parts of life. But when thinking turns into overthinking, it stops being helpful and starts feeling like a trap – keeping you stuck in cycles of worry, self-doubt, low moods and mental exhaustion.

Maybe you lie awake at night, tossing and turning as your mind runs in circles. Maybe your days feel heavy with stress as if you're carrying an invisible weight.

If this sounds familiar, fear not, you're not alone. Overthinking is one of the most common mental habits that fuel anxiety, stress and low self-worth. But the good news is, it's actually a habit you can break.

1 Set “office hours” for your thoughts

Overthinking often tricks us into believing we're solving problems when, in reality, we're just replaying the same worries over and over. Instead of letting your mind run in circles all day, try setting dedicated “thinking time” – 10 to 15 minutes a day where you take time to think through your concerns, map out next steps and play out all the possible scenarios.

DURING THIS TIME, YOU CAN: