Let’s be honest—overthinking is like being stuck in a mental hamster wheel that you can’t get off of. Your mind goes round and round, and no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to hit the brakes. When you’re stuck in that space, some of the best ways to quiet those racing thoughts are a little… unconventional. Here are 17 weird (but seriously effective) tricks to help you get out of your own head and get back to feeling like yourself again.
1. Give That Annoying Inner Voice a Ridiculous Name
Yep, you heard me right—name that overthinking voice. Call it “Whiny Wanda” or “Doubtful Dave.” When you give it a silly name, you turn your thoughts into something you can manage rather than something that controls you. Next time you start spiraling, just say, “Oh, that’s just Doubtful Dave being dramatic,” and suddenly, it feels a lot less powerful.
2. Chew Gum Like You’re on a Mission
Who knew that something as simple as chewing gum could be your new secret weapon against overthinking? Chewing keeps your mouth busy and your brain ever so slightly distracted, which surprisingly helps break the cycle of nonstop worrying. The repetitive chewing motion tricks your mind into thinking everything’s cool and under control. It’s like telling your brain, “Hey, we’ve got this.”
3. Pop Your Worries (Literally) on a Balloon
Got some heavy thoughts weighing you down? Write each one on a balloon and then pop it. It sounds a little silly, but watching your worries physically burst into nothingness can be oddly satisfying. It’s a dramatic reminder that you have the power to let go of those thoughts and not let them take over your mind.
4. Snap a Rubber Band When Your Mind Won’t Shut Up
Wear a rubber band on your wrist, and every time you start to overthink, give it a snap. That little sting will jolt you out of your head and bring you right back to reality. It’s like a tiny wake-up call that reminds you that you’re in control, not the voice in your mind.
5. Have a Solo Dance Party
Put on your favorite song and dance like nobody’s watching (even if they are). When you move your body, you shift your energy and get those feel-good vibes going. It’s hard to get lost in overthinking when you’re too busy busting out your best (or silliest) dance moves. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t feel better after boogying.
6. Ground Yourself with the 5-4-3-2-1 Trick
This technique is a game-changer for calming a chaotic mind. Name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. It forces your brain to focus on what’s right in front of you instead of spiraling into a black hole of bad thoughts.
7. Talk to Yourself Like You’re Your Own Best Friend
Okay, this one sounds weird, but hear us out. Talk to yourself in the third person—like, “Sarah is feeling stressed out right now, but she’s got this.” It might feel a little strange at first, but psychologists have found that doing this actually helps you see your situation from the outside looking in. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need to snap out of your overthinking.
8. Laugh at How Ridiculous Your Thoughts Can Be
Ever noticed how overthinking can turn the smallest problem into a full-blown catastrophe? Next time you catch yourself spiraling, try saying your worries out loud in the voice of a cartoon character or comedian. Laughing at your thoughts takes away their power and makes them seem way less intimidating. Seriously, it’s hard to stress when you’re cracking up.
9. Put Socks on Your Hands (Trust Me)
This might be the strangest one yet, but if you really struggle with paralyzing thoughts, try putting socks on your hands while you go about your day. It forces you to focus on something other than your thoughts. It’s impossible to keep worrying when you’re busy figuring out how to do normal tasks with sock-covered hands. Sometimes, a little silliness is all it takes to shake off the stress.
10. Set a Timer for Your “Worry Session”
Instead of trying to shut down your worries completely, schedule a specific time to worry. Set a timer for 10 or 15 minutes and let yourself go all in. But when the timer goes off, that’s it—no more dwelling. It’s a great way of acknowledging your feelings but not letting them rule your day—or your week.
11. Blow Bubbles to Breathe Easier
Blowing bubbles isn’t just for kids—it’s a great way to calm your mind. The slow, deep breaths you take to blow bubbles help you relax and focus on something simple and fun. Watching those bubbles float away is also a great visual cue to let your worries go with them.
12. Imagine a Duck Quacking Your Thoughts Out Loud
I know this sounds bonkers, but next time a negative thought pops into your head, imagine a duck saying it out loud in its quacky voice. It’s pretty hard to take your worries seriously when you picture them coming from a silly cartoon duck. Honestly, it’s just a way to distract your brain when it’s on the brink of spiraling. You’d be surprised how effective this trick is.
13. Play “Detective” with Your Thoughts
When your brain starts spinning, ask yourself, “What’s the evidence that this thought is true?” Most of the time, you’ll realize there’s not much backing up your worries. Playing detective with your thoughts helps you see that most of them are just assumptions and not actual facts. It’ll stop you from falling into a black hole of dark and mostly untrue thoughts.
14. Let a Coin Decide (When You’re Stuck)
Can’t decide what to do because you’re overthinking every option? Flip a coin. No, really. Flipping a coin won’t make the decision for you, but your reaction to the result will tell you a lot about what you actually want. If you’re secretly hoping it lands heads up, that’s your answer right there.
15. Create a “Worry Jar” to Lock Up Your Thoughts
Write down each worry on a piece of paper and toss it into a jar. Once it’s in there, promise yourself you won’t think about it until you absolutely have to. Seeing your worries tucked away in that jar gives you a sense of control and helps you let go of what you can’t fix right now.
16. Shock Yourself with an Ice Cube (For Real)
If your mind is racing and you can’t seem to calm down, grab an ice cube and hold it in your hand. The cold shock will bring you back to reality and slow down your racing thoughts. It’s a physical way to jolt yourself out of your mental loop, and it actually works.
17. Picture Your Thoughts as Passing Clouds
Imagine your anxious thoughts as clouds drifting across the sky. Instead of chasing them or trying to control them, just watch them float by. It’s a huge reminder that thoughts are temporary—they come and go, and you don’t have to hold onto them. Let your worries drift away, just like those clouds.
