Overthinking

Overthinking, obsessing, brooding, or ruminating - all describe the same, toxic habit that can have quite a negative impact on our daily lives. These things all involve thinking, very often, about something, anything really, that may be upsetting, but doing so in a passive way - without taking action. These thoughts can consume us, wondering constantly about what was really meant or intended by a comment, or worrying about why things happened the way the did, or even worrying about the future. 

Overthinking causes people to feel like they are working on a solution, or making some sort of progress, while in reality, you're really getting nowhere, and may even be exacerbating the problem. All of the constant thinking can take up a lot of time and energy, which could be used to actually solve the problem, or focus on the things actually occurring in your life. It can also drive others away, as people who chronically overthink everything tend to share their misery and ponderings to the point of being annoying. 

Overthinking can also impair problem-solving skills, causing you to be more pessimistic about the future, and almost guarantee a bad mood. Those who overthink often are four times as likely to be depressed as those who don't. 

How do you know if you're overthinking? 

It's repetitive. If you find yourself thinking about the same things over and over again, examining a problem or situation from every angle, then you're probably overthinking! 

It's also very passive. People tend to overthink with the goal of finding a solution to a problem, but instead, studies show that those who overthink aren't very effective at solving anything. Even when a solution is found, if you've overthought it for a long time, it's difficult to find the motivation to carry it out, and procrastination, or even non-action, generally occurs. 

It's generally about the past, not the future. Overthinking generally focuses on what has already happened, trying to figure out why, or what could have been. 

How to break the habit: 

Start by giving up your regrets. Everyone does things that they regret, so instead of overthinking what you should have done instead, or trying to figure out why things happened, just take a deep breath and accept what happened. You can even try thinking instead about the future, and how to not repeat the problem. 

Distracting yourself is also an easy way to attempt to stop overthinking. If things such as watching TV or going for a drive don't work because you still find too much time to think, then do other, more active things such as playing with your pets, or working on projects around the house. Even things that seem nonsensical, like daydreaming or imagining things, can help get your mind off of the problems and situations you tend to overthink. 

A final way to stop overthinking is to challenge yourself. Do something that is within your skills and abilities, but still difficult for you. It's hard to overthink things when you are pushing your mind and talents to new heights! This can also help to build up confidence in yourself and can help you learn how to be more productive with your time. 

MOBU Products that can help: 

Kava Calm Balm and Lotion - If you find yourself overthinking mainly at night, when you're trying to go to sleep, using Kava Calm products can help you to relax and stop the wandering thoughts so you can get a good night's sleep. Being well rested and prepared for the day can help you be more productive and less likely to overthink the next day as well.