Wait a minute here, weren’t we taught to think things through and be analytical. Being a health care professional we rely on our analytical skills throughout the day. “WNL,” isn’t it important to know what the norm is?.
There is a fine line that gets crossed when you go from thinking to overthinking – endlessly and excessively pondering the meaning, causes, consequences and “what ifs.” This kind of ruminating tends to lead to a negative bias that interferes with your energy and problem solving abilities. Analysis Paralysis may result.
Occasionally, social comparison is useful as a means of inspiration to strive for ambitious goals, or make you feel better about your own situation. In general though, social comparison is insidious and has a negative impact on your self-esteem and how you behave.
Being so insidious, it’s good to have a variety of activities to use to overcome the tendency to overthink. To identify what activity fits best for you to increase happiness and revitalize, contact me. Here are a few things to try in the meantime:
Distract – When you notice yourself overthinking, distract yourself with another activity. Absorb yourself in activities that divert your energies and attention away from dark or anxious thoughts toward those that make you feel good. You might want to listen to music, get physically active, watch something of interest, or even mindfully focus on the task at hand. You’ll learn what works for you after experimenting with distraction. This strategy is very effective, even though it is underrated. You’re not so different from the young child who needs distraction when things aren’t going his way.
Just STOP – Put up the mental STOP sign. Perhaps you can find some red item that is your visual cue to stop, then redirect your attention to something else. This requires mental control; the more you use this technique the better you get at it.
Do it later – Tell yourself that you don’t have to focus on the topic now and that you’ll allow yourself time later to think about it. You can even write the topic down for later “contemplation.” This way you externalize it and often when you look back later you find that the topic doesn’t require so much thinking.
The above three approaches are all part of Cue 2 Do, an Oasis 60-second Strategy to ReBalance in a Busy World . To learn more about Oasis and increase your well-being, contact me.
Here’s a quick list of other activities you may find helpful:
- Act to solve problems
- Avoid overthinking triggers
- Take in the big picture – imagine viewing the situation from the tree tops or ask yourself “Wil this matter in a year?”
Dina 203.744.YOU3 (9683)
Revitalize Your LIfe
Share what you’re doing and how it’s working out for you. We’d all love to hear your progress.
