Remember that you will be paid for your efforts and the time you put in to make your efforts successful, regardless of the final result. Do Our Personalities Influence How Religious We Are? If you can relate, here are five ways to stop the cycle of thinking too much and drive towards better, faster decisions. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A person can have a full reliance and dependence on Allah, but that does not mean that he should not try and fulfill his responsibilities. Is it a question about whether your marriage is worth saving? 7. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Having said that, however, Muslims are not immune to the feeling of grief or depression. This instruction from Allah provides us with two critical tools that can ease our worries and pain. Do your best to allow yourself extra time to get ready before you have to be at an appointment. Despite how scary these sensations are, one of the proven techniques that helps a person overcome a panic attack quicker is acceptance. She is also an instructor with Mishkah University, where she teaches a course about the intersection between Islam, psychology and counseling. If you feel like you're overthinking everything, try these 17 expert-approved tactics to stop your unproductive thoughts in their tracks: Catch yourself. Remember, Allah (subhanahu wa taala) promises us ease as He (subhanahu wa taala) says, For indeed, with hardship comes ease. (94:5). These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Create a block on your schedule for your specified worry timemaybe 15-20 minutes where you can think through whatever's on your mind. Leaving the decision-making process open-ended sets you up for unlimited overthinking. JazakAllahu khairan for these useful tips. Researchers suggest that instead of venting that negativity, one should try to overcome it through various strategies, for instance, taking deep breaths, taking a nap, trying to divert your attention towards something positive, practicing gratitude to avert complaining. It helps to cultivate a deeper level of awareness of your overthinking, asking questions about why and when it occurs. When the Quran says, seek help through patience and prayer. (2:153),it is indeed offering usthe perfect antidote for negativity. Thought upon the Hereafter produces wisdom and life in the heart. What to do when someone wrongs you in Islam? What does Islam say about critical thinking? If you are reading this article, you may have recognized that overthinking is a problem for you and are trying to solve that problem. Your heart will always be at peace when you have complete faith in Allah SWT, the Wisest, and the All-Knowing, which prevents you from thinking anything but positive thoughts. Despite feeling powerless, realize that you can regain control of your life and your anxiety. And seek relief by patience and prayer; it is hard to save for those humbly submissive[to Allah].. This was very well written and such good reminders in times when one faces anxiety. Try doing this exercise 3 . Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and borderline personality disorder are commonly associated with overthinking. May Allah SWT guard and guide us right, make us successful in this life and hereafter, Aameen. Look for patterns. . It is the age ofCatharsis. Not all thoughts about the world are evil. Spend some time in nature. Sleep the way the prophet ( saw) slept : Sometimes you might find a temporary workaround to a real problem. Learn to accept things as they are. You spend disturbed days and sleepless nights due to the restlessness that comes with having trouble focusing. Overthinking, for most of us, is a habit thats hard to break. Salnom is a website that writes about many topics of interest to you, a blog that shares knowledge and insights useful to everyone in many fields. Berger says the technique could take up to two. i.e. Can Islamic architecture get anymore stunning?! Sarah Sultan is a licensed Mental Health Counselor and has a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, graduating Summa Cum Laude. I kindly suggest sister that if you do begin to think about this incident, you just let it pass by and give it no more thought. However, there are times when this very power becomes a curse. Watch popular content from the following creators: N.A. How Do I Stop Overthinking And Thinking Negatively? If nothing illegal or wrong happened, there should be nothing to repent for or worry about. And I started overthinking so m Overthinking may become so ingrained in your behavior that you arent even aware of it. Which hormone is responsible for overthinking? I have placed my trust in Him, and He is the lord of the Majestic Throne." Maa Salam. Feel the ease in your muscles and notice the rate of your pulse. What is that fear that you constantly sweep under the rug? Islam teaches us to direct the act reflection (tafakkur), or deep thought, towards the signs of Allah, the names and attributes of Allah, to his blessings and wonders, to hope in the Hereafter, and to optimism. They produce wisdom and enlightenment in the heart. Remember that Allah is capable of all things so never cease in making duaa to Him. Positive thoughts are those that produce good feelings, good deeds, peace of mind, gratitude, tranquility, contentment, and other positive emotional states. Do you start to feel warm or notice your heart racing? Despite how it may seem when your life is in disarray, Allah knows what is best for you. Obedience When you have your utmost belief in Allah SWT, the most Wise and the All-Knowing, He always brings your heart calmness that keeps you from having negative thoughts. Emerging psychological research, however, appears to suggest that venting may actually not be so healthy, and catharsis may, in fact, be just a myth. This leads to restlessness, depression, and to more sins. Advising otherwise is ill advised and will only serve to keep the cycle of worry/threat/anxiety in full swing. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month. 51. Without any tension dragging you down, how you spend your weekend significantly impacts how well you sleep at night. Your email address will not be published. Your email address will not be published. It puts your reliance for a solution on Allah and not yourself. In return, He gives you Sabr and emotional calmness that introduces tranquility during your hard times. But in the end, only you have the ability to change your thought process. You might learn techniques from a mental health expert to assist you in quitting worrying, meditating, and focusing on unproductive thoughts. If you're facing a multiple-choice, resist the tendency to read too much into the questions and answers. Realize that your worries are often a false alarm. When feeling stressed, we tend to catastrophize and imagine the worst-case scenarios for every situation. Why does it work? Help us get to 900 supporters this month. 6. What is the dua for making difficult decisions? Name 4 things you can hear. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it. Knowing that you will be able to regain control over your worries during an anxiety-filled time can be very calming and empowering. In her spare time, Aisha enjoys her family, photography, nature, martial arts classes, Islamic studies, volunteering/charity work, as well as working on her book and spoken word projects. Setting a time limit gives you a concrete time-frame to work with. One of the symptoms of anxiety is that you stop doing things that like to do. Accept or Deny Your Thoughts The. Do you tend to get more anxious when youre exhausted? If at any time you feel that it is much deeper than surface anxiety or worry, then please do consult a therapist in your area. How to stop overthinking and negative thoughts in Islam? 6. actions, and he should do as they did and strive to imitate them, for If one hears Allah Almighty talking to him in a dream, it also means that one is more assiduous in his recital of the Quran. So, when you make wudu (ablution), thank Allah SWT for all that you have already accomplished, and make supplications to Him, your next day also starts on a positive note. It helps people focus on their thoughts and beliefs, and how these thoughts affect their feelings and behavior; and then helps them adjust their thinking patterns and change their behavior accordingly. While we prepare for the worst, we also hope for the best by putting our trust in Allah . If you continue to use this site, you agree with it. 6. If after about a month of letting these thoughts pass or if by trying to divert or stop these thoughts, they do not stop, please do be assessed by a therapist in your area for possible OCD/intrusive thoughts. Rumination can be common in people who have chronic pain and chronic illness as well, taking the form of negative thoughts about that pain and healing from it. It can also appear for no apparent reason, but anxiety is underlying. She has experience in a variety of therapeutic interventions and has worked with several age groups including children with special needs, adolescents with emotional and behavioral issues, families undergoing difficulties and survivors of trauma and domestic violence. Awareness is the beginning of change. One of the most important ways to stop overthinking in Islam is to be mindful of the blessings around you. Remember the saying of the Prophet, The affair of the believer is amazing in that it is always good for him, and this is true only for a believer. Recite dua in a day to keep all the negative thoughts away from you. While in a small boat in the middle of the ocean, the sky suddenly darkens and the winds start to pick up. Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. We should seek our cure for depression and anxiety in a holistic manner by addressing its physical, mental, social, and spiritual aspects. Overthinking can set you up for a vicious cycle that is hard to break. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Mindfulness requires practice, just like any other skill, but it can help lessen overthinking with time. Whatever you do, avoid drugs and alcohol because it won't make your anxiety go away. As soon as her baby sneezes, she wonders whether this is an indication of a serious health issue, which leads to further worry and anxiety. Leave it at home when you go for a walk, turn it off when you're with . Pay attention to your mind and body during calm and stressful times. What are 7 ways to get rid of negative thoughts? Through prayer, we connect to the master who has the keys to all problems or hardships. Even the so-called self-help books are constantly telling us how important it is for our psychological and emotional well-being to frequently ventilate, to release that negative energy; To just let it out. I am confident you will over-come this sister. Consider how you can prevent the issue if its something you can do something about, or set a goal to come up with five potential answers. I kindly suggest that when you start thinking about this incident, that you immediately verbally or mentally say or think the word STOP with a big red sign and engage in something else. gathered with them (on the Day of Resurrection). Put aside perfectionism. Thought upon the world is a veil over the Hereafter and a punishment for the people. As the boat capsizes, you find yourself surrounded by the seemingly never-ending ocean. Please keep me in your Duas. But on the other hand, it can make you more prone to experiencing mental health issues. Try the below techniques to stop overthinking: 1. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Disclaimer:The conceptualization and recommendations stated in this response are very general and purely based on the limited information provided in the question. Overthinking can put you under constant stress and stress can increase levels of cortisol, which can wear down your brain's ability to function properly. So, how to stop overthinking? Try going back to doing what you like to do so that you can be happy. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. This is often confused with toxic positivity, which asks people to think positively no matter how difficult a situation is. How to stop stressing in Islam? When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. When should you wish someone happy birthday? This article is great, Your email address will not be published. Indeed, Allah is with the patient (Quran,2:153). However, you can improve your present-moment awareness by practicing mindfulness. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Leaving off the five daily prayers (Salah). You may be able to gasp in a breath of air but soon youre pushed beneath the surface again, nearly unable to stay afloat feeling the weight of so much worry heavily overtaking your mind. I pray to to help to calm all those experiencing anxiety. Your email address will not be published. Journaling is a very helpful way to track what your critical inner voice is telling you. Pay attention to what you consume. 2-Accept that anxiety levels go up and down, When you are overcome with worry and anxiety, you may feel as though things will never get better. Surah Duha, Surah 93, ma sha Allah. 126306 and Overthinking can be an early indicator or symptom of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. A mindful believer avoids negative self-talk and is aware of Allah with each and every thought. Fortunately, there are several mental strength exercises you can do to change the channel in your brain from overthinking into a more healthy mindset. Clinical Psychologist, writer/blogger, and Iqbal Studies Researcher, originally from Pakistan, residing in Dubai, UAE. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), at that time, was distressed. In no event shall AboutIslam, its counselors or employees be held liable for any damages that may arise from your decision in the use of our services. Questions cannot be asked through this form. I kindly suggest sister that if you do begin to think about this incident, you just let it pass by and give it no more thought. Sister, please know that nothing is too small or silly to ask about. The impact of overthinking if it occurs for a long time is one of them is declining physical health. Allah is with you wherever you are, Insya'Allah. You should learn to recognize when your overthinking has reached an . There is none worthy of worship but Him. What happens to brain on overthinking? Allah subhana wa taala revealed it at a time when our Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam was depressed, to soothe him. Which name of Allah to recite for anxiety? What does Allah say about killing someone? However, this just promotes anxiety to arise at inopportune times. If something harmful comes to him, he is patient, and that is good for him. (Muslim), There are a variety of techniques that can help to reduce anxiety during moments of stress. Log in, //