Ever catch yourself tossing and turning at night? Maybe you’re mulling over that tough chat you had—or need to have? Yep, we’ve all been there.

But here’s the thing: overthinking can seriously cramp our style! It can lead to stress, anxiety, and even decision-making roadblocks. I’m here to let you in on some tips to help dial down that overthinking chatter.

First up: awareness. Simply recognizing those pesky thought patterns is half the battle. Every time you hear a negative thought cross your mind, write it down and make a note of what triggered it. Once we’re onto them, we can start to question their validity and whether they’re truly serving us.

Next time you catch yourself thinking, “I’ll mess up,” ask yourself if there’s any real proof behind that notion. Try flipping the script and looking at things from a different angle. Sometimes all it takes is a shift in perspective to brighten up our day.

Now, let’s talk mindfulness. Mindfulness means being fully present, knowing what we’re doing, and not getting too caught up in what’s happening around us. Overthinking loves to drag us into the past or fast-forward us into the future. But staying calm & focused in the present moment can really work wonders for our minds.

Mindfulness practices like focusing on our breath are a simple way to help. One of my favorite practices is belly breathing. It can be done anywhere at any time. Put your hand on your belly and breathe deeply. Feel your belly rise and fall. Bring your attention to the movement of your belly, encouraging full & deep breaths. Just like that, you’re brought back to the present place and moment.

And hey, who doesn’t love a good visualization exercise? Picture those tough conversations going just the way you want, with you confidently leading the way. Envision the other person nodding along, fully engaged in what you’re saying. With consistent practice, this can seriously boost your confidence and help to ease your anxiety.

Let’s put these strategies into action and kiss overthinking goodbye. And remember, if you’re in need of more support to kick those overthinking habits to the curb, we have a whole community to connect with.