How To Stop Overthinking

Ever tried the Worry Box?
I know it seems silly, but it really helps.
Here’s how to use it to deal with overthinking and stress.

1.    Do you have a pen and some pieces of paper?
Great! Grab them!
Otherwise, open a note on your phone.

2.    Now, jot down what’s stressing you about going back to work.

For example:
→    “I’m worried about how I’ll catch up on all the emails”
→    “I’m anxious about the new projects piling up”
Just get your thoughts out.



3.    Now, physically place these papers in a box.
Or save the notes in a specific folder on your phone.
Why?
Because putting them away helps you set a boundary.
It’s like putting your worries in a drawer and closing it for now.

4.    Now the fun part.

Ask yourself:
→    When will I go through the contents of my inbox in the next few days?
Just schedule your “worry time” in your calendar.

It could be:
→    In the next few days
→    Or even in the next few hours

You can choose to set:
→    A “daily” worry time
→    Or a “weekly” worry time

For example, you might choose to review your notes on Monday morning.
Just after you’ve settled back in.
This way, you’re not letting these thoughts crowd your mind all the time.
Some people prefer having a short worry time every day.
Like from 5:00 to 5:15 PM.
It works.



5.    Now stick with me.
When you review your notes, tackle one concern at a time.

Let’s say one of your notes says:
→    “I’m stressed about catching up on client requests”

Well, just start by handling that first request.
Just break it down into small steps.
Like answering one client email at a time.
This makes it easier to see your progress.
And it also reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed.
And of course, it helps you overthink less.