While everyone overthinks situations once in a while, some people are troubled by thinking all the time. Overthinkers rethink conversations they had yesterday, second-guess every decision they make, and imagine disastrous outcomes-all day. Their minds are like a movie where they imagine their car going off the road or they replay distressing events over and over again.

Keep the focus on problem-solving

    Keeping the focus on your problems isn't helpful-but looking for solutions is. If it's something you have some control over, consider how you can prevent the problem or challenge yourself to identify five potential solutions.

    If it's something you have no control over-like a natural disaster—think about the strategies you can use to cope with it.

    Schedule time for reflection

    Worrying about your problems for long periods of time isn't productive, but brief reflection can be helpful. Thinking about how you could do things differently or recognizing potential traps to your plan, could help you perform better in the future.

    Add 15 minutes of “thinking time” into your daily schedule. During that time let yourself worry, or think about whatever you want.

    Learning mindfulness skills

    It's impossible to rehash（反复推敲）yesterday or worry about tomorrow when you're living in the present. Mindfulness will help you become more aware of the here and now.

    There are classes, books, apps, courses, and videos available to help you learn mindfulness skills.

    Do this in your brain by changing your activity. Exercise, engage yourself in a conversation on a completely different subject, or work on a project that draws away your attention. Doing something different will put an end to the negative thoughts.

A. Change the channel.

B. Change your attitude.

C. Focus on the things you can control, like your attitude and effort.

D. Just like any other skill, mindfulness takes practice, but over time, it can decrease overthinking.

E. Overthinking can become such a habit that you don't even recognize when you're doing it.

F. There are four tips that can help you stop overthinking.

G. When your time is up, move onto something else.