10 ideas for not thinking too much

Overthinking: reflect excessively, with negative effects. Avoid it by looking for solutions and focusing on concrete actions

Have you ever felt trapped in a loop of negative thoughts that won't leave you alone? Have you spent hours and hours mulling over a problem without finding a solution? 

10 ideas for not thinking too much

Have you experienced situations in advance that have not occurred or that have not been as serious as you imagined? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it is likely that you are a person who eats the coconut frequently.

Comerse el coco is a colloquial expression used to refer to the tendency to overthink, ruminate, worry excessively, or have obsessive thoughts. It is a form of mental self-torture that can generate a lot of stress, anxiety, sadness, frustration and anguish. In addition, eating the coconut is usually unproductive, since it does not help us solve problems but rather magnifies and complicates them.

But why do we eat the coconut? What benefits do we get from this behavior? And how can we stop doing it? I am going to share 10 ideas that will help you stop eating the coconut and live with more peace and joy.

1. Accept what you cannot change

Many times we obsess over things that are out of our control, such as the past, the future, the opinion of others, or external circumstances. This only generates stress, frustration and anxiety. The best thing we can do is accept reality as it is and focus on what we can do to improve our situation.

2. Practice gratitude

One way to stop eating the bogeyman is to shift the focus from what we lack to what we have. Being grateful for the good things in our lives helps us to value them more and to feel happier and more satisfied. You can start or end the day by writing down three things you are grateful for, or simply say thank you in your head when something good happens to you.

3. Meditate

Meditation is an ancient technique that helps us calm the mind and connect with the present moment. It consists of observing our thoughts and emotions without judging or identifying with them, and returning to the focus of attention, which can be the breath, a mantra, an image or a bodily sensation. You can meditate for a few minutes a day, preferably in the morning or at night, in a quiet and comfortable place.

4. Exercise

Physical exercise is one of the best ways to release stress and tension that accumulate in our body and mind. In addition, when we exercise we release endorphins, chemical substances that make us feel good and improve our mood. You can choose the type of exercise that you like best, be it walking, running, swimming, dancing, yoga or any other activity that is fun and motivating.

5. Take a deep breath

When we are nervous or worried, our breathing becomes faster and shallower, which increases our level of anxiety. That's why it's important to breathe deeply when we feel overwhelmed or stressed. This helps us to better oxygenate our brain and body, relax our muscles, and reduce our heart rate and blood pressure. You can practice diaphragmatic breathing, which consists of inflating the abdomen when inhaling and deflating it when exhaling, or square breathing, which consists of inhaling for four seconds, holding the breath for four seconds, exhaling for four seconds, and holding the breath again for another four seconds.

6. Talk to someone

Another way to stop eating the coconut is to share our problems or concerns with someone you trust, such as a friend, family member or professional. This helps us to let off steam, to see things from another perspective and to receive support and advice. It is not about looking for magical solutions or constantly complaining, but about expressing what we feel and listening to what they tell us.

7. Write a journal

Writing a diary is a very useful tool to order our thoughts and emotions, especially if we tend to ruminate or think things over. By writing we can capture what goes through our heads, what worries us, what bothers us or what excites us. We can also write our goals, our plans or our reflections. This helps us get to know each other better, release tension and find creative solutions.

8. Do something you like

When we are worried or stressed, we tend to neglect our interests or hobbies, which makes us feel more empty and dissatisfied. Therefore, it is important to spend time doing things that we like and make us feel good, such as reading, painting, playing an instrument, watching a movie, cooking, traveling or whatever we are passionate about. These activities bring pleasure, fun and meaning to our lives, and help us disconnect from our problems and recharge our batteries.

9. Take care of your diet

What we eat influences how we feel, both physically and mentally. A balanced and healthy diet helps us to keep our bodies in shape and prevent diseases, but also to regulate our state of mind and improve our concentration and memory. Some foods that benefit us are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, oily fish and dark chocolate. Some foods that harm us are alcohol, tobacco, coffee, sugar and saturated fats.

10. Sleep well

Sleep is essential for our physical and mental health, since during sleep cell regeneration, memory and learning consolidation, hormonal regulation and the elimination of toxins take place. A good night's sleep helps us to be more rested, more alert, more creative and happier. To sleep well, it is recommended to follow a sleep routine, avoid screens before going to bed, create a comfortable and dark environment in the room, avoid copious meals and stimulating drinks at night and exercise during the day.