5 Signs You're Overthinking (And How to Break the Cycle)

We've all been there – lying awake replaying that awkward conversation, or psyching ourselves out before a big game. Here's how to spot when your brain is working overtime (and not in a good way).

1. You're Creating Problems That Don't Exist Yet You know that feeling when you're convinced your coach hates you because they didn't smile at you during warm-ups? Yeah, that's your overthinking brain creating a whole storyline from literally nothing. Reality check: Maybe they're just focused, or thinking about their grocery list.

How to break it: Ask yourself, "What actual evidence do I have?" If the answer is "none," it's time to redirect that energy.

2. You Replay the Same Scenario 47 Times If you've mentally rehearsed tomorrow's presentation so many times that you could perform it in your sleep, you've crossed from preparation into overthinking territory. Your brain thinks it's helping, but really it's just wearing you out.

How to break it: Set a timer for 10 minutes of "worry time," then move on to something else when it goes off.

3. You Ask the Same Question Multiple Times "Are you mad at me?" "But are you sure you're not mad?" "You seem mad..." Stop. If someone says they're fine, take them at their word instead of turning into a human lie detector.

How to break it: Trust people's words until you have real reason not to. Simple as that.

4. You Can't Make Simple Decisions When choosing what to wear takes 45 minutes and involves a pros/cons list, your overthinking has officially taken over. Not every choice needs to be perfect – some things just need to be good enough.

How to break it: Give yourself a time limit for small decisions. Two minutes max for outfit choices, three minutes for what to order at lunch.

5. Your Friends Say "You're Thinking Too Much" (A Lot) If multiple people in your life have become your personal overthinking intervention squad, it might be time to listen. They're not trying to dismiss your feelings – they're trying to save you from yourself.

How to break it: When someone calls out your overthinking, pause and actually consider if they're right before defending yourself.

The Bottom Line: Your brain is trying to protect you, but sometimes protection looks like mental quicksand. The goal isn't to stop thinking – it's to think productively instead of in circles.

💭 Quick Poll: Do you catch yourself overthinking before practice or class?

• Always (send help)

• Sometimes (I'm working on it)

• Rarely (teach me your ways)