Thread by @BehemothTips

Every minute you overthink, you are spending energy better used somewhere else.

A breakdown on how to control your mind/thoughts:
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1/x: Journaling.

Journaling helps you move intrusive thoughts to paper and ease your mind. It also gives you a concrete perspective on your problems.

#journaling #overthinking #personalgrowth #selfimprovement

Just before bed or when you wake up is the best time. Former helps you reflect on your day and empty your brain, latter gives you a purpose and motivation for the day.

Another specific benefit of journaling for over-thinkers is the ability to postpone. Are you the kind of person who spirals with problems need fixing as you try to fall asleep?

Put them in your journal. You'll be amazed to physically feel the weight leaving your mind

When your mind knows your problems are written somewhere, the urgency to fix them disappears as you know you will come back to them.

You still need to solve them but you don't need to solve them NOW

2/x: Note taking.

This has similarities to journaling. The idea here is to dedicate a specific time of day for just thinking. Let me explain:

Focusing on a task over a period of time during the day drags you down. Humans suck at multitasking. You are giving sub-optimal energy both to your main focus and the thoughts at the back of your mind.

There is no magic secret that will turn off your mind like a switch. What you can do is deceive it. Having an intrusive thought? Write it down. Have a single hour of day where you come back to all your notes and go over them one by one in one sitting.

This has two benefits:

1 - You are freeing up mental space needed by delaying thoughts you think you need to have to a certain time.

2 - Your mind is able to be persuaded to let it go since intrinsically it knows you will come back to it.

IN ADDITION: You will cut down on your overall daily energy consumption of overthinking considerably.

Some of the thoughts you come back to at that designated hour will no longer be interesting for your brain to chase. You no longer have the compulsion to pursue them

So far we have covered two dimensions on how writing and deferring can help you.

More to come on physical activities you can perform that will benefit you immensely. Like and RT for Part 2!

#overthinking #growth #selfimprovement #selfhelp #journaling #personalimprovement

Let's start the Part 2 of the thread.

#motivation #growth #selfimprovement #overthinking

3/x: Exercise until exhaustion.

A strong body is a strong mind. Workout and your body will release endorphins which is one of the "feel-good" hormones. You will also be distracted from your thoughts and being active will prevent you from going in a spiral.

Pick something that is not "trivial". If you go for a walk or a run chances are you will still be overthinkingY ou need to stimulate your brain enough that your sole focus is the exercise.

Self defence sports and boxing are perfect fit. You can also lift weights.

#gym #sports

4/x: Reflective Thinking:

Give your brain a direction sense. What part of the problem you can control? What is the worst case outcome? What will be your strategy then?

Instead of wandering unpurposefully, frame your thinking: be proactive.

5/x: Read psychology.

Understanding how your brain and thought process works help putting things in perspective. We are primitive creatures with ludicrous reasonings.

Find the root of your concerns, understand them, and see the bigger picture. For example...

... Spotlight effect: A known phenomenon where "people tend to overestimate how much others notice aspects of one's appearance or behavior".

Studies have shown people mostly don't give an f. Realize nobody cares and get out of your own head.

6/x: Mindfulness.

Meditation and breathing exercises. Undoubtably proven with its benefits, mindfulness opens new doors to inner silence when practiced correctly.

#meditation #mindfulness #breathing

Mental health is often disregarded as immaterial compared next to physical health. However, arguably a strong mind bears an even bigger importance for navigating our world.

Set aside some time each day do meditate. Think of it as an investment.

If you are a beginner it might be hard to explore mindfulness and have the urge to quit early. I recommend a solid app for starters to at least get the gist of it. Headspace being one of them.

#meditation #mindfulness #breathing

Do not overcomplicate it. It doesn't have to be perfect. Just sit down comfortably, close your eyes, and focus on your breath.

Remember, breathing is the BEST thing you do since the day you were born. Embrace it.

#meditation #mindfulness #breathing

Mindfulness will allow you to be in peace with your mind and thoughts. As you become more advanced, explore your thoughts and where they are originating from inside your body.

You will realize this will immensely calm your mind and a natural cure for overthinking.

#meditation

@Iceman_Hof gets the 7th and and last piece in this thread.

COLD SHOWERS: In his best seller book "The Wim Hof Method", he makes a great case on why cold showers are HUGE for your well-being.

#meditation #mindfulness #breath #coldshower

Cold showers clear your head, boost metabolism, and improve your cardiovascular system.

#meditation #mindfulness #breath #coldshower

It also exposes you to a healthy level of stress (hormetic stress), which helps you perform better under pressure.

Cold is merciless, but it is also your friend.

Inflammation is also reduced by cold exposure. Inflammation in the brain blocks the transmission of chemicals related to mood, including serotonin. Ice baths and deeply cold showers therefore can mitigate this.

These showers may improve your mood and reduce overthinking.

That's it for this thread! Make sure to give a follow if you have enjoyed the content and want to see similar threads.

Thanks for making to the end.