How to Stop Overthinking
12 Strategies for Coping with Overthinking
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First published: 28. Jan.2025
Overview
Overthinking wastes too much time and mental energy on analyzing situations from the past, present, and future without taking concrete actions to resolve them.
Chronic worrying can be overwhelming, and cause anxiety, stress, and depression.
This article suggests twelve coping strategies to manage overthinking and improve life quality.
References and Further Reading
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(2) Gilbert, D., and Abdullah, J., (2002). A study of the impact of the expectation of a holiday on an individual's sense of well-being. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 8(4), 352-361. https://doi.org/10.1177/135676670200800406
(3) Kumar, A., Killingsworth, M. A., and Gilovich, T., (2014). Waiting for Merlot: Anticipatory Consumption of Experiential and Material Purchases. Psychological Science, 25(10), 1924-1931. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797614546556
(4) Beck JS., (2011). Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond. New York, NY: Guilford Press
(5) Vila FJ., (1999). El cerebro nos engaña [Our brain deceives us]. An R Acad Nac Med (Madr). 1999;116(2):463-74; discussion 475-82. Spanish. PMID: 10682402
(6) Kyla Penfold, Andrew C. Page, (1999). The effect of distraction on within-session anxiety reduction during brief in vivo exposure for mild blood-injection fears. Behavior Therapy, Vol 30:4, pp 607-621, ISSN 0005-7894, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(99)80028-8
(7) Nikolai A. Shevchuk, (2008). Adapted cold shower as a potential treatment for depression. Medical Hypotheses, Vol 70:5, pp 995-1001, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2007.04.052
(8) Cho K, Kim M. , (2023). Effects of aromatherapy on depression: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2023 Sep-Oct;84:215-225. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2023.08.003. Epub 2023 Aug 15. PMID: 37619300
(9) Muris, P., & Otgaar, H. (2023). Self-esteem and self-compassion: A narrative review and meta-analysis on their links to psychological problems and well-being. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 16, 2961–2975. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S402455
(10) Paranjothy, S.M., & Wade, T.D. (2024). A meta-analysis of disordered eating and its association with self-criticism and self-compassion. The International Journal of Eating Disorders, 10.1002/eat.24166. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.24166
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About this Article
How to Stop Overthinking, A. Whittall
©2025 Fit-and-Well.com. First Published: 28.Jan.2025. Update scheduled for 28.Jan.2028. https://www.fit-and-well.com/wellness/how-to-stop-overthinking.html
Tags: overthinking, mood, anxiety, depression, mindfulness, happiness, stress, positivity