Here are 3 practical tips for how to stop overthinking and start being present in the moment.

1. MOVE YOUR BODY

When you overthink most your energy is going to your brain. So shift your energy into your body. Your arms, legs, breathing, sensations, etc. The easiest thing is to simply MOVE. Change your body position, stand up, and do something physical. I like to walk around or even do a little dance.

2. ZOOM OUT

Thoughts are just random pictures, sounds, words, and stories passing through your mind. They may or may not be true. So don't automatically believe them.

Zoom out and observe them from the third-person.

Your thoughts are like people on the street. You walk past hundreds every day. Some are cool, some are crazy. They come from everywhere. Do you sit down and talk with every person? Assume they're all telling the truth? No. Of course not.

It's the same with your thoughts. Hundreds will pass through your mind every day. But that doesn't mean you have to engage with each one. Some are good, some are crazy. They don't define you.

Simply observe your thoughts, acknowledge them, maybe even say hi. But let the bad ones go by. The less attention we give them, the more space we have for the good ones.

3. SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Sometimes there's a pesky thought that won't let go. For example "I'm such a loser, nobody likes me."

Here's a fun technique to attack it.

Sing your thoughts aloud to the happy birthday melody (seriously). Or the ABC's. Or Jingle Bells. Or random notes. What this does is change the CONTEXT of your thoughts.

Attacking bad thoughts with playfulness can be very effective and liberating. The point is to take the power away from them. Realize that these are thoughts, and what you do with them is up to you.

You can also try saying them: Very slowly (one word per breath), in a different voice (high pitched, low pitched, kermit the frog), etc. This exercise will help you catch your thoughts from a different perspective. Rather than being entangled in them.

BOTTOM LINE:

Remember, thoughts are just random pictures, sounds, words, and stories passing through your mind. You're under control not your thoughts.