How to overcome anxiety and overthinking things I shouldn't

[Anahwm]

What can I do to overcome worrying about things that I have no control of, this is driving my head insane

[Joshgw]

Honestly, I wish I knew. I have the exact same problem, like I'm sure a lot of people here do. You can try and find a distraction. Could be as simple as reading a book.

[Anahwm in reply to Joshgw]

I wish you all the best in your marriage. But I've always looked for someone or people to talk to I came along this wall upon luck to find people who are going through the same thing I'm going through hoping that we will be able to help each other

[Roxylox]

I do that too. I find distractions can help. I watch comedy on Youtube and listen to light-hearted podcasts.

[Anahwm in reply to Roxylox]

I have distractions too but instead of them being positive they are negative ones

[Roxylox in reply to Anahwm]

Maybe it might help if you could try the positive ones. Worth a try anyhow

[Anahwm in reply to Roxylox]

Thanks I will try that

[Hidden]

Hi there! I overthink to the max as well. You are so right about it driving us insane. I had been working on this with my psychiatrist at the time, so I did a post on the subject. I hope it helps somewhat.

healthunlocked.com/anxiety-...

[Anahwm in reply to Hidden]

All the best too. I also lost my dad June this year and I'm not taking it too well because it's very hard to talk to people I prefer to keep things to myself and they accumulate in my head and after a long time I get overwhelmed and that's where anxiety comes in

[Hidden in reply to Anahwm]

So sorry for your loss. Please take care of yourself.

[RemySue]

I really have to focus on living in the moment. It is so hard at times! I also walk A LOT

[Anahwm in reply to RemySue]

Yeah I know what you are talking about it's very hard to live in the moment

[Arymretep in reply to Anahwm]

I think we all struggle with living in the moment these days, everything is so fast, I find hobbies help a lot, doing puzzles and crosswords etc. So sorry to hear about your Dad, take care.

[Anahwm in reply to Arymretep]

Thanks I will try because I do love puzzles

[Arymretep in reply to Anahwm]

Have you tried the new online game Wordle. ? I’m hooked on it lol

[designguy]

You might check out the youtube videos of Paige Pradko, she is a therapist and has anxiety/OCD herself and now treats and helps people with the disorders. She has really clear and practical advice about how to deal with issues like ruminating.

youtube.com/results?search_...

I've found the most helpful thing is never believing the anxious thoughts. The other thing is learning and practicing simple mindfulness meditation in order to be able to let the thoughts come and go without attaching to them and it also allows us to bring our attention back to the present moment. Sometimes I will just write out my ruminating thoughts and let them flow, not worrying about spelling or legibility or anything just venting them. The other thing is to investigate what emotions are behind the ruminating and try to get in touch with them, accept them and process them. Another thing is understanding that ruminating is a way of trying to be in control of which the reality is that there are many things in life that we have no control over and must just surrender to so try being rational with yourself about it. I know ruminating can be frustrating but try to not get upset with yourself and engage with the thoughts, it's the continued engagement with them that perpetuates them. Try to think of them as a hornets nest that won't harm you as long as you don't provoke it and just let them be and go on with your day.