How to Avoid Overthinking?

Nov 8, 2022 Image credit: Unsplash. Dr Tushar Chauhan

Overthinking any situation is a common problem in PhD students which eventually harms their mental health. Here are tips to avoid it.

[{"selector":"#anim-5c91df17-a884-415b-8dcf-f0be8e45ef9c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-259f7cf6-1a61-4244-b2e7-535adddbed1d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1341074c-87eb-48a1-87aa-de26dc01e236","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 190.64347%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-45f9d2b8-e868-469c-b378-36dcc67726d6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d5127c4e-7765-42f1-bfb6-9928bcda05c0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 270.96593%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-13245132-070f-4553-be93-6862c998c98a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0f4de14d-af69-4c69-8cdc-1db4d4671685","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 190.64347%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image credit: Unsplash. Image credit: Unsplash.

Control you thoughts

[{"selector":"#anim-87de391f-289e-48d0-a465-a199e1e25499 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-90fa1990-f03e-4319-a4d2-a583cf355595","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9e017e7f-7b3b-403a-89b4-c21e375ef7e6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 142.27231%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e0345ccf-a63a-4be5-92b7-b9403715be4c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-03bb1ad1-b2a3-4125-bf73-c303aef5eb2b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 190.64347%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-456fe47f-a3cd-4577-b137-4332465dcc71","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":750,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Always notice where your thoughts lead you to become aware of your problem. Is your thought process negative or positive? Image credit: Unsplash.

Strategize a solution

[{"selector":"#anim-50e968f6-b273-42db-84dd-c5fd4355b884 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(9.113018428754255%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-67e8f652-fd6f-48ce-a85e-273feb2290e3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e320e325-fa18-4242-b818-206e681333c5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 142.27231%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d608bc4a-c8b0-43ad-b74f-40ca31811492","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-320b4502-1736-4104-9da6-c5ef6f54c0ec","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 190.64347%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9894ce21-0e37-41fb-b2d4-e5e6aba8ba6e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":750,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Try to form a strategy that can solve your problem and prevent you from overthinking. For example, a daily schedule, and changing working style. Image credit: Unsplash.

Reflection

[{"selector":"#anim-810bc3bd-5ddd-42fc-8632-d5035f791146 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-689752e4-1433-4470-8ce6-f83cf88f260f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ff8e2a97-7503-4214-9a82-a26726061c23","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 170.14725%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c788a30f-da4a-4819-9d99-b318562b6506","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-df9c5891-7f59-41f6-8143-82768c70b0f2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 190.64347%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2338cd0b-2354-4df9-a4ad-759127c7d733","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":750,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Think about how your thoughts can make you more productive. Image credit: Unsplash.

Engage your mind

[{"selector":"#anim-8cf69c10-d5a5-4906-938c-badca4c7dd75 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.0658141036401503e-14%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-83f32ecf-a922-45b8-81cb-43690b12274c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8c8e9997-f064-4217-96c5-f2898cc01f65","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 153.41488%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-13e5aa47-4c6b-485f-a0c6-b569ee9ece48","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1e0b65ff-a78c-4790-99a3-ff75f90545c0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 190.64347%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e47a2574-cbdf-463d-a447-01108dc583a4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":750,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Indulge in some challenging mind games like sudoku and chess. Also, go for outdoor sports too. Image credit: Unsplash.

Meditate

[{"selector":"#anim-770353ca-8d2f-4754-b25d-ff79b2a703b0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-29944e23-0d6d-4930-98d4-6d8d032f987c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b7fc8f79-53b6-4f54-a6d0-bb368fe71406","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 165.34148%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a0193b63-8715-48c7-876b-72cfc5049402","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8d4e19eb-d478-4891-8ca2-e7bfbb33e77c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 190.64347%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8d791d90-fa10-4199-becf-82ef1991935a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":750,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Meditation is one of the best ways to free your mind of thoughts. Deep meditation helps to control your thoughts. Image credit: Unsplash.

Distract

[{"selector":"#anim-f29af77c-89c8-4d05-8ec0-43718239916d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-717e2c04-0bbb-426e-88cd-e508ff983536","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-40771107-0bc4-4793-99e1-b9e3fcbdb8af","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 165.34148%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-310701da-eced-42eb-976f-1d9666f63194","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d5781095-26d7-45f6-a9e6-371d7ef7adc3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 190.64347%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c22da6a0-9be2-491d-844c-c04a437d53eb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":750,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Engage in any activity you enjoy like reading or talking with your friends. Distract your mind from overthinking. Image credit: Unsplash.

Healthy habbits

[{"selector":"#anim-20d57b34-9319-4f56-9d8b-a8f4fbb22a54 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-40753a4b-bc83-40d0-bf98-e2956338fea4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-de4d59bd-56bc-432c-b58d-23ceb6208a9d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 146.78361%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-786d32b4-6d53-4e5c-bbe7-c9134d618b00","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6205cd16-303c-4fc0-a15d-e0835cd2f9f2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 190.64347%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-94749f54-6ff0-44d9-bd93-b6ad3613ba97","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":750,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] It is good to develop healthy habits like being more productive, having a daily schedule, reading a book or spending time with elders. Image credit: Unsplash.

Accept your flaws and success

[{"selector":"#anim-97b09e8d-afd6-4b95-a00a-034adca84eb1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f5e35c53-6ae4-474a-8c86-e2756926bd7f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fdcf550c-ec41-489b-ae1d-c39c169bbfb2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 135.76389%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-156f28e1-00a5-4b0b-905a-487f3c1969cb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-360017ea-a40e-4fc0-9226-50959c9b523b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 190.64347%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b5a39019-e39e-4249-b009-09ca22d09f08","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":750,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Feel happy about your achievements rather than focusing on your failures. You are not the only one, everything happens to everyone. Take it easy. Image credit: Unsplash.

Focus on the NOW

[{"selector":"#anim-98722bc4-4e59-4d9f-875c-6586d97f04fd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(18.82352930728659%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8cf06f53-ec51-43dc-8413-865365531114","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-58dd63ef-d8b7-45ad-a8d9-2894ae946d48","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 170.14725%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5464fa6f-3fde-41f6-99c8-01051b750757","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2433b4e7-2c43-49d6-9038-277eacc26db7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 190.64347%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-80b005e5-ae9e-4800-acef-d235a6e94fed","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":750,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Accept life as it comes. Remember, nothing lasts forever. Image credit: Unsplash.

Next story: 10 Research Topics for Biotechnology - ThePhDHub

[{"selector":"#anim-53af2ca4-c09b-4467-a927-a441238f1bf2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-07073646-91d9-45d4-bb46-767918a71a9f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-212b2520-300f-4f18-b598-0521b1ca0b13","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 190.64347%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-52d69206-dd4a-44fd-96b0-f0659e318bf7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-45986734-f2ae-4832-bf74-d0b3cff961d8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 190.64347%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f796beeb-ae89-4970-9c9d-91b6668d9520","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-82deec5f-9cc6-4ae6-ad1f-8f394db819a3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 195.75538%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-aa0b3ee9-003f-4a1c-9239-897a4c6a0920","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2d8a5f37-367b-44fa-be21-ea598fe7e906","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 487.57202%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":450,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image credit: Unsplash. Image credit: Unsplash.