How can you train your mind not to over-think?

There are many ways to prevent unhealthy over-analysis of events in your life, if you're particularly experiencing this about past events you could be suffering from Rumination. A personal technique of mine is often reminding myself that this over-thinking won't achieve anything and that people perceive things often in a much different light than I do, a welcome distraction helps too.

Writing down your thoughts can help you identify them, and ask yourself questions such as "how does it impact me" "how much do i really believe it" "are there any positive alternatives?"

Instead of sitting idle, read a book or a blog or even do something that will take your attention. Always have something going on, that leads to no room for over thinking.

What I've done is try to stay concious of my thoughts and when I begin to over-think I have to be proactive about it, and stop that thought in any way I can. If you need to yell "STOP!" and then quickly turn your attention to something you enjoy doing that keeps your thoughts focused on that task.

Continuously being busy! Either that or distract yourself from the things you're thinking about. For me, exercising helped me get through final exams my Senior year of high school, and taking breaks from studying.

One of the best ways I have found is to ask myself. "In the realm of the universe, space and time, my existence, how important is this thing which has me thinking so much?"

A great way to train your mind not over-think is to bring yourself back to the present. If you're thinking about stuff that has happened in the past, that stuff is already over. If we keep dwelling on the stuff that has already happened then we are struggling with something that isn't really happening to us. If we are worried about stuff that could happen in the future, most of the things we are thinking about are things that probably aren't ever going to actually happen. If we stay in the moment, we find that in the moment we are okay.

At times when you find yourself over-thinking, it is best to immediately remove yourself from your current location; even if it is to simply get up from your seat. I've found that moving around momentarily (particularly working out) can help you to no longer over-think.

Challenging your thoughts is helpful. Acknowledge that your thoughts may be exaggeratedly negative. Schedule a time for general reflection on your day and life. Simply keeping yourself busy is a wonderful way to stop over thinking.

By learning to "live in the present". It requires many different things, including mindfulness (meditation) and practicing to clear your head. The latter is something especially many Western people have almost forgotten to do.