22 Affirmations to Ease Overthinking

People used to tell me, “You think too much.” I took secret offense to this because I saw being cerebral as a good thing. But the truth is, overthinking can become a problem if we ruminate, stress, and over-analyze situations to the point of exhaustion, especially if we don’t take any action to end the stress cycle.

Maybe you overthink too. Do you find yourself thinking about all the things you could have done differently, second-guessing your decisions, and continuously imagining worst-case scenarios? If so, you know it can be exhausting. Although analyzing situations is an important skill for navigating life, overthinking can cause mental, psychological, and physical stress.

It wasn’t until I started to do more inner work and experienced my own spiritual awakening that I realized my overthinking was a trauma response to feeling unsafe in the world. In fact, research suggests that overthinking is associated with feelings of depression, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Signs You’re Overthinking

If you’re wondering whether you are overthinking, there are a few things you can look for.

Signs of overthinking include:

• An inability to think about anything else

• Not being able to relax

• Feeling anxious, worried, or stressed constantly

• Fixating on things you have no control over

• Feeling mentally and physically exhausted

• Ruminating about worst-case scenarios

• Replaying past conversations and experiences and analyzing what you could have said or done differently

• Having mostly negative thoughts

• Second-guessing all your decisions

If your brain won’t shut off, this could make you feel powerless. The good news is, there’s a variety of mindfulness tools that can help you balance your brain and body. If overthinking is getting the best of you, try mantras or affirmations.

Words have staying power, and focusing on affirmations that have positive intentions behind them can help you be more present and focused. The power of affirmations is so evident that addiction specialists and mental health experts often recommend their use as a relapse prevention strategy. So whether you want to regain control of your mental landscape, feel better throughout the day, or simply establish healthier habits, these affirmations can help.

Go-to Affirmations to Stop Chronic Overthinking:

1. I have the power to choose what I think about.

2. I am where I am, instead of where I think I should be.

3. I am doing the best I can, and for today, it is enough.

4. I refuse to see myself in a dim light. I am golden.

5. I embrace my unique traits and celebrate all that I am.

6. I have a lot to give this world. I am worthy of my desires.

7. I allow myself to feel what needs to heal.

8. I accept what I can’t change, and I take guided action to transform what I can’t accept.

9. I am in charge of my mind.

10. I am safe, and all is well.

11. I express myself and my needs openly and honestly with others.

12. I take care of my body, heart, and mind, and reflect on what is true.

13. I let go of limitations and self-sabotaging thoughts.

14. All is well, I am here, I embrace now.

15. I have so much to look forward to.

16. I can solve any problem.

17. I am doing my best, and that is good enough.

18. I accept the past and embrace the future.

19. I choose to focus on positive and helpful thoughts.

20. I am determined to live in the moment.

21. I can let go of things that no longer serve me with grace and ease.

22. Every day is a blank canvas and an opportunity to choose myself.