As you probably know, overthinking can significantly get in the way of a relaxed and joyful life. You do not have to live this way, however. Here are 10 tips to help you move from being an overthinker to someone with a more calm and balanced mindset:

1. Catch Yourself – Identify Triggers: When do you start overthinking the most? Recognize situations, topics, or times when you tend to overthink. Keeping a journal to track these patterns can be beneficial. Jot these moments down so you can be ready to fight back next time.

2. Practice Mindfulness (Stay in the present): Meditation, deep breaths, even just focusing on your body – anything to bring yourself back to now. These techniques focus attention on the present moment and help stop your mind from getting stuck in a thought loop, promoting non-judgmental awareness of your thoughts.

3. Schedule Your Worries: Feeling overwhelmed? Give yourself a short, specific time each day to worry. Then, move on and enjoy your day. You can worry later if you really need to.

4. Challenge Thought Patterns: When overthinking arises, question the validity and helpfulness of your worries. Is that tiny, critical voice in your head telling you the truth, or just being dramatic? Challenge your negative thoughts and see if they actually hold up.