Overthinking

Written by Lyla Weisstub 10/06/2024

Weekly Cancellation: Overthinking. 

From your Stand coordinators. 

That gnawing sense of doubt in everyone’s gut after submitting an assignment, or the rush of panic when you realize you forgot to take notes is inevitable at this time of year.  But not to worry, your fellow overthinkers on The Stand know exactly what it is like to be constantly switched on in terms of your academic life.  And we know that it is exhausting and completely overwhelming.  Overthinking can lead to a plethora of other habits that totally contradict a healthy and organized lifestyle.  This includes increased heart rates, late nights and all-around anxiousness.  Before you resort to overthinking when a test or coursework does not go as planned, refer to these tips to cancel out overthinking for this school year!

1. Breathing Techniques!  Shortness of breath or a tightness in your chest can be a side effect of anxiety, which often links directly back to overthinking.  During moments of stress, be sure to take full inhales and exhales, clearing your mind and preventing any further spiraling.  The “Finger Breathing” method or “Box Breathing” method help regulate breath control, whereas the “Yogic Deep Breathing” method focuses on maximizing breaths, and expelling the most amount of air (Carbon Dioxide) possible!  Using these breathing techniques ensures that overthinking does not take a physical toll on your body!

2. Plan out your school days and weekends!  When our schedules get out of hand, overthinking is completely natural, as we lose our sense of structure.  Making an hourly schedule for every day with designated times to work on each subject and times to take breaks and socialize as well as keeping belongings and your work-space organized!

3. Find an outlet!  Certain activities are simply made for diffusing anxiousness while also being totally enjoyable and perfect to incorporate into a difficult day.  When life gets tense, and we are most susceptible to overthinking, a stress relieving activity can be the perfect remedy.  Baking, sketching or drawing, listening to music and or watching a comfort show are all activities that are not only relaxing, but proven to be an effective way to clear your head.  

For more suggestions or ideas for a weekly cancellation, email us at The Stand, or thestand@yorkschoo