How to Stop Overthinking and Stay Present

In today’s fast-paced world, overthinking can be a major barrier to mental peace. But by staying present in the moment, we can relax and find clarity to take the next best step, which can help us stop overthinking. As athletes and professionals, we know that a clear mind is essential to success. So in this article, we’ll explore the power of mindfulness and share practical tips for staying present and letting go of noisy thoughts.

Overthinking is Common

Lots of people are plagued by overthinking. Whether you’re an athlete or a professional, or wherever you might find yourself in your life, know that overthinking is common. It is something that you have the power to overcome and you can create more mental peace.

Athletes and high achievers are used to having their heads on a swivel. That is, to compete, you learned that you have to anticipate what might be coming next. You’ve trained your mindset to be looking at every possible scenario. Not surprisingly, this mindset habit often carries over into all areas of life. This can cause unnecessary stress and actually take you out of your game, your zone, or your flow. It can waste mental and physical energy and even distract you.

If you’re a perfectionist, you may also struggle with overthinking. You want to get everything right so to do so, you believe you have to anticipate every problem.

If you struggle with anxiety, you may also struggle with overthinking because you want to be prepared for whatever is coming next.

One Simple Tool to Stop Overthinking

The tool I’m about to share can be challenging at times, but it’s as simple as it gets. So here it is: stay present.

If you’ve been following this blog or if you’ve been following me on social media, you know that I love to remind everyone that the future happens in the present. The things that are happening right now are what contribute to what happens in the future. So when you’re overanalyzing the past or too caught up in the “what if” scenarios of your future, you’re taking yourself out of the present moment. You’re removing your power to make the decisions and take the actions that will lead you to what’s next. Moment by moment you’re inching towards the future.

When you find yourself overthinking, here’s what you do:

• Acknowledge that you’re overthinking and set an intention that you’d like to slow down.
• Take a few long, deep, slow breaths. Focus only on your breath and nothing more.
• Come back to the moment and realize that everything is okay. All you really have is what’s in right in front of you, and in this exact moment, everything is okay.
• Continue to take a few more deep breaths and let your body relax a little bit.
• Next, think about what’s the next best step.
• Trust that you’re doing your best and will make the best decisions as you go. (Here’s another video on how to have more trust during times of adversity.)

To recap, here’s the formula: The future happens in the present so bring yourself back to the present, take a few deep breaths, and take the next best step. That’s all you can do.

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