How to stop overthinking?

[Overthinkings]

I’m prone to overthinking generally anyway. Recently been having some relationship problems and my overthinking is spiralling out of control. I’m on a training course at work and I can’t concentrate because my mind will wander to what if’s, my time at home is being swallowed up by googling my problems and reading advice columns/forums about it and generally driving myself insane.
I’m not drinking any alcohol at the moment as things makes my thoughts worse, and I’m doing regular exercise (3 x a week minimum) I just need some methods to stop my thoughts snowballing.

I wish I knew the answer to that one. I’m exactly the same. I completely get that about home time as I too spend hours on the internet looking at forums and information relating to my current problem.

I think you probably know all the usual advice, distracting yourself, exercise, healthy eating etc. Maybe cbt to help your thought processes. However, I can’t engage with the cbt stuff, however logical it is.

You aren’t alone.

They are only thoughts. Thoughts are not real. Thoughts only become real if you believe them.

I'm confused Noego. I don't quite know what you mean.
I do believe my thoughts so therefore they are real?

Thoughts are NOT real.

There are two types of thought. Practical and Psychological.

Practical thoughts do not hurt you because you don't believe in them. By practical thought I mean something like what's for dinner tonight, I need to book an appointment with the dentist. They are thoughts but they don't cause you pain.
Then there are psychological thoughts, about the future or the past or a situation. These are still thoughts, the same as practical thoughts, but these are believed and then become real. When in truth they are not real. They are just thoughts. When you stop believing in these psychological thoughts and observe them, let them go, do not believe in them, they do not cause pain anymore.

You really have to go deep to understand this. Slow down, Sit and breathe and just watch those thoughts. DO NOT attach to them.

I really think that the internet does us no favours - I've been the same in the past, googling and reading forums for hours on end to try and alleviate my fears, when in reality it's only exacerbated them.

Perhaps try and limit internet access whilst at home, meditation, yoga, knitting!? Anything that will help to focus your mind.

I do appreciate it's hard though