Moderated by
Lianne Kirby, MA in Counselling Psychology
Counselor
I believe everyone should have the opportunity for their voice to be heard. I use a trauma informed, person centred approach in counselling.
Top Rated Answers
Overthinking is bad when done out of limits. You can try distracting yourself with music...meditation...novels...movies...games...mindfulness exercises at 7cups :) just take care of yourself...only you can pull yourself out of the trap. Better if you try to look into the root cause and work towards it :)
Anonymous
August 21st, 2016 6:30pm
I understand that people tend to start thinking at night as its calm and relaxing. One way that would help is to put on some music that you like and either sing with it or listen to the lyric.
Usually what I do is I come up with a song that makes me feel better (one I make up or one I heard somewhere else) and then hum it to myself using the lyrics to block out unwanted thoughts. Eventually I drop off to sleep.
Great Question! Try getting a Journal. Every night before bed write down whatever comes to mind. When you are down put the Journal down and close your eyes.
Try to focus on something else. Think about your favourite television show, or book. Take a break and relax. Doodle something to distract you.
Anonymous
August 29th, 2016 1:01am
I've had this problem for a long time, I'm a chronical insomniac so I understand the feeling, it may sound cliché but counting sleeps really helped me, or try singing a lullaby in your head, it can really relax you😊
Maybe try doing things to distract yourself or do things you find calming. Watch a movie, listen to music, read a book, have a bath, sleep if you can. Overthinking can be quite worrying sometimes I understand that, so distracting yourself from the thoughts might be something to try, good luck
Anonymous
September 1st, 2016 11:39am
You can listen to calming music and meditate. Just try blocking everything out of the way. Also try reading some books. If non of them worked just take deep breaths and try closing your eyes, ignoring everything. If you still can't stop thinking, have a cup of warm milk/almond/soy/coconut milk. And then try doing one of the alternatives up again. ☺ï¸â˜ºï¸
Stay strong, and happy â¤ï¸â˜ºï¸
Over thinking at night and therefore losing sleep can be very common. A good way to get ready for bed and be able to relax is to refrain from reading, watching tv or using electronics right before sleep. Another great trick to help manage anxiety at night is to take 6 breaths per minute to help your brain "reset" and refocus. Each inspiration and expiration should last 5 seconds. Breathe in counting to 5, breathe out counting to 5. Repeat it 6 times.
Make yourself tired.
In my opinion, over thinking could happen probably because we have too much energy to sleep, so when we try to close our eyes and sleep, our mind wanders elsewhere and prevent us from sleeping.
Try doing some useful activities during the day or the evening, like doing sport, studying, writing, reading book, or something that requires lots of energy. Thus when it's time for you to sleep, you will be too tired to even think of something
The best way for some is to just take deep breaths, close your eyes, and think about what you would like to happen the next day. Think about someone you treasure, or value, or hold close to you heart. Think about happy times, and smiling really does help. It might seem weird, but it really relaxes the heart.
Anonymous
September 25th, 2016 7:31am
Listen classical music's. They will make you relax, more comfortabke . do not worry. You are not alone
Anonymous
September 30th, 2016 4:41am
Practice deep-breathing techniques and deep muscle relaxation techniques while laying in bed. Create a mental association with sleep by having a consistent sleep-only relationship with your bed: avoid eating on it, hanging out on it, looking at your phone on it; for the next couple of weeks use your bed only for sleeping. Go to bed only when you're tired. If you're having trouble sleeping past thirty minutes, try to get up and walk around for three minutes and then lie down again when you feel sleepy.
Remind yourself of something positive you did to counteract negative thoughts. Had an embarrassing conversation you wish happened differently? Make a joke out of it. Imagine what you want to say to that person when you want to see them again. Reassure yourself it will be better next time. Stressed out about a test? Tell yourself you're as prepared as if you had another month to study. Family issues? You have a bright future with amazing plans that you're ready to seize. If not, try breathing in and out slowly, while listening you calming sounds on YouTube with sound blocking earphones/headphones. Focus on being in a calm place that makes you happy while you do it. ASMR helps me sleep.
I should probably start by saying that I overthink too. My mind is a riot by the end of the day. Overthinking happens because you're worried about something or someone. You should probably think positive than worrying. You can plan your next day's schedule or think about the new novel that you're reading . Just anything. Anything that distracts the worry.
Perhaps don't try to stop the thinking. This could be creating resistance and a belief that you shouldn't be thinking. Our brains are constantly thinking, sometimes we are not aware of the thoughts because we are so lost in them, while at other times there can be a shift in awareness and we suddenly notice all these thoughts (which have always been there) I would say use this as an opportunity to watch the thoughts without identifying with them. With this you will not be fighting or resisting them. watch them like seeing them on a screen and feel the presence from where you are watching.
Anonymous
December 31st, 2016 8:31am
Try listening to calming music, or a mildly interesting podcast. Blocking out the "sound" of my head usually helps me, at least.
Anonymous
January 6th, 2017 12:04am
Reflecting what went well during the last time can help to cut out negative thoughts which could lead to overthinking. Writting down these thoughts in a diary before you go to bed could help too.
Anonymous
January 22nd, 2017 10:43pm
I also have thoughts racing through my head while I try to go to sleep. Some ways you can stop this from happening is by doing some relaxing things before going to bed. This could include reading, stretching, or drawing. You could have a cup of chamomile tea to help you wind down and you will sleep much better.
I managed to stop overthinking by listen to relaxation music and breathing exercises. It helped me and i hope this advise will help you too.
Anonymous
February 23rd, 2017 6:55pm
Take deep breaths and always remember that thinking about the past won't make it different and worrying about the future will not stop things from happening. Just breath.
Anonymous
February 24th, 2017 12:36pm
Overthink earlier, if possible. Write down just what comes in mind in early evening, talk to a friend, such things. When it's late, focus on relaxing your mind and body.
Anonymous
February 25th, 2017 1:34am
pick your favorite album and then try to go through each songs lyrics in it's entirety until you get to the end, by then you'll be pretty tired, and it gives you something else to focus on
The easiest way to stop over thinking at night is to be so active during the day that you go straight to sleep at night. Doing relaxing things like reading a book before sleeping or talking to a loved one can also help to a great extent.
It's natural at night for us to think at the end of the day of all the things that have happened, what we have to do tommorow etc, there's nothing wrong with thinking but over thinking can sometimes stress you out and make you worry. Try using different things to help you sleep; such as lavender, it'll calm your mind before you sleep. Another thing that I like to use is try to make up a story before as I go to sleep, let your mind wander and take you places :)
Anonymous
March 16th, 2017 12:39am
Think about a happy place, close your eyes and imagine you are in that happy place. Think about the smell, sounds and the taste or that happy place and keep thinking about it
The best solution I found is reading. It takes your mind off of bad thoughts and focuses it on something more healthy. I recommend reading something with a dash of comedy, a pinch of fun, and a cup of adventure.
Distract yourself, especially if it can be with something you like. Enjoy reading? Read and get lost in that world instead of your own that's troubling you. Like listening to music? Make a long playlist of all your favourite songs and listen to it before bed till you sleep
Meditation is a great way to distract yourself,also counting sheep or counting backwards from one thousand can also be helpful.
I personally find two things help, one is going to bed so tired you don't have the energy to sit in bed and over contemplate. So sometimes doing something like working out, or something a little strenuous can help me. But when I do find myself tossing and turning, I like to find this to distract my mind. I try to stay away from the TV or my phone, because it has been said that the light from those kind of things only worsen are ability to sleep. But finding a book to get lost in for a little bit, or playing so relaxing music that you focus on the lyrics to can be helpful. Eventually you find something that works for you, and over thinking becomes harder and harder to do.
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