The Overthinker’s Guide to Peace of Mind

Hello! Welcome to another edition of ABC of Mental Health, your companion on your journey to mental health. This week, we will highlight the importance of peace of mind — a state of mental and emotional calm, free from excessive stress, worry, or overthinking. While it doesn’t mean life is perfect or problem-free, it does mean you feel centered and in control, even when life isn’t. Let us explore how we can live, love, work, and grow from a place of strength, balance and stillness.

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One relevant recommendation

Practice a Daily “Mental Reset Routine”: Set aside just 5–10 minutes a day to intentionally unplug and reset your mind. This simple act creates space between you and your stress. This brief pause calms your nervous system, reduces anxiety, and trains your brain to pause instead of panic. Over time, it becomes a mental habit that helps preserve peace of mind—even in chaos. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Find a quiet spot—your car, a corner of your home, even a restroom if needed.
Step 2: Close your eyes and take 10 deep, slow breaths.
Step 3: Focus only on your breath. Let thoughts pass without judgment.
Step 4: End with a quick mental check-in: “What’s one thing I can control right now?

Two Quotes on Peace of Mind:

Lao Tzu, ancient Chinese philosopher and writer, highlights how peace of mind comes from being grounded in the now: 

"If you are at peace, you are living in the present. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are depressed, you are living in the past."

Naval Ravikant, entrepreneur, investor, and thinker, reminds us that that peace of mind is something we build through habits and choices, not something external we can buy or chase:

"A calm mind, a fit body, and a house full of love. These things cannot be bought – they must be earned."

Three TherapyShorts from TST

1. Catch the Spiral Before It Sinks You
   Overthinking often begins with one small “what if” that snowballs into a million different scenarios (mostly unhelpful!). A client once described it as “mental quicksand.” We work with clients to build awareness of their spiral triggers—a message left on “read,” a delay in response, or ambiguous feedback at work. The key is to pause and name the spiral out loud: “This is my anxiety talking, not the truth.” Awareness makes space for choice.

2. Move From Rumination to Action
   Overthinkers often stay in loops because they mistake thinking for doing. We guide clients to ask: “Is this worry productive or repetitive?” If it’s repetitive, the goal is to take one small, value-aligned action—whether it's making the call, writing the message, or deciding to wait mindfully. A tool that helps with this beautifully is a simplified to-do list. Cut out non-essential tasks and say no to commitments that don’t align with your values or priorities. This helps reduce decision fatigue. 

3. Set Mental Boundaries That Protect Your Peace
   Your mind is not a dumping ground for constant updates, opinions, or noise. If you’re anything like me, short-form content has made it even harder to put the phone down. But the more we stay plugged into stress cycles—doom-scrolling, toxic chats, draining feeds—the more anxious and distracted we feel. Setting mental boundaries is like spring cleaning for your head. Limit what you consume, simplify your priorities, and say no when you need to. It’s not selfish—it’s a form of self-respect.

A QUICK CHECK IN…

What is something you’ve overthought for absolutely no reason at all? 

Vote here!

Last week, we asked about what you value most in love, and the responses were… (drumroll please)…

With care and compassion,

The Social Therapist

💚 P.S. Allow yourself to stop overthinking 

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