How to Reduce Anxious Thoughts and Overthinking

5 Ways to reduce Anxious Thoughts and Overthinking

Anxious thoughts can be overwhelming, making it difficult to complete the most simple task, make decisions, or get adequate sleep. The constant reality of always having something on your mind can make it feel like you are carrying a huge weight. This weight, if left unchecked can become so heavy that it makes even getting out of bed difficult. Again, we’re talking about the bed you probably laid awake in all night. Here are some natural options for how to reduce anxious thoughts and overthinking.

Change Your Location

It is easy to get into the cycle of negative thoughts, and once it starts it can be very difficult to stop. One of the fastest ways to break the cycle is to get up and get moving. It doesn’t have to be a whole new place, but sometimes just moving from the kitchen table to the desk in your bedroom or from the couch to the front porch, can make a difference in your mindset.

Practice Mindfulness

Yes, we know it’s easier said than done. Observing your thoughts rather than reacting to them could make a big difference in how you are responding to the information from your brain. Try and think of your thoughts as clouds floating by that you see and acknowledge but don’t react to. This can keep regular thoughts from turning into anxious thoughts and overthinking.

Aromatherapy

Scents like lavender and chamomile have known aromatic soothing properties. If you don’t have either of those scents in your home, just light your favorite candle or essential oil diffuser. Sometimes any good smell will help take off the edge. If you don’t have a candle, get creative; body spray, fabreeze, drier sheets . . .

Natural Ingestible Options

Plant compounds have been used for centuries to reduce anxious thoughts and overthinking. Some of these options include:

-St. Johns Wort

-Chamomile Tea

-CBD Hemp Extract

-Passionflower tincture

-Lavender oil

These can all be taken orally. Some need to be diluted, while others can be taken on there own or paired with food and drinks. Receptra’s Seriously Relax tincture + lavender, also includes passionflower for an added punch to keep you calm, and might be worth a shot to take off the edge.

Get Some Excercise

When you are feeling overwhelmed, exercising is likely the last thing you want to add to your plate, but it could be the best thing for you. If you can get outside and take a walk, the fresh air could also do you a lot of good. You don’t have to go into a hard workout that leaves you sweaty and exhausted, but you certainly can. Yoga, stationary bike, weight lifting, shadow boxing, hiking; whatever you are into, do that.

The rationality of Anxious and Overwhelming Thoughts

Even when you know a thought isn’t rational and that you are worried for no apparent reason, it can become difficult to enjoy your day. It is important to step back and look at your thoughts objectively. Some degree of concern may be in order, but instead of focusing solely on the worst-case scenario, try to play out the best-case scenario. There is only so much that you can control. Control what you can and then try and live your life.