If you want to know how to stop overthinking, start here: you usually can't force a thought to disappear, but you can change how you relate to it. Notice the loop, name it, decide whether the thought is solvable, and then either take one small action or deliberately move your attention elsewhere. Do this often enough and the loop loses some of its pull. This guide covers what overthinking is, why it happens, and nine practical techniques you can try today. It's general wellness information, not medical advice or a substitute for professional care. What Overthinking Actually Is Overthinking is repetitive, unproductive mental activity. It usually takes one of two forms: Rumination: replaying the past. Why did I say that? What did they mean by that look? Worry: rehearsing the future. What if this goes wrong? What if I can't handle it? Both feel like problem-solving, which is why they're so hard to drop. Real problem-solving moves toward a decision or an action. O...