{"id":6661,"date":"2022-04-30T18:53:51","date_gmt":"2022-04-30T18:53:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/?p=6661"},"modified":"2022-08-21T15:37:36","modified_gmt":"2022-08-21T15:37:36","slug":"how-to-stop-overthinking-social-interactions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/mental-health\/overthinking\/how-to-stop-overthinking-social-interactions\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Stop Overthinking Social Interactions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \">Do you have trouble turning off the small voice in your brain while you&#8217;re at a party? Do you ever wonder if the person you&#8217;re speaking with thinks you&#8217;re boring? Do you wish you could go through just one social engagement without second-guessing yourself, becoming uptight, and obsessing over every &#8220;mistake&#8221;? You&#8217;ll learn what causes overthinking, how to have more pleasurable social encounters, and how to stop overthinking social interactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/How-to-stop-overthinking-social-interactions-2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"le turning off the small voice in your brain while you're at a party?\" class=\"wp-image-6837\" srcset=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/How-to-stop-overthinking-social-interactions-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/How-to-stop-overthinking-social-interactions-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/How-to-stop-overthinking-social-interactions-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/How-to-stop-overthinking-social-interactions-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/How-to-stop-overthinking-social-interactions-2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/How-to-stop-overthinking-social-interactions-2-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/How-to-stop-overthinking-social-interactions-2-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_53 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-662e868f29acb\"><span class=\"\"><span style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-662e868f29acb\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/mental-health\/overthinking\/how-to-stop-overthinking-social-interactions\/#Why_do_we_overthink\" title=\"Why do we overthink?\">Why do we overthink?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/mental-health\/overthinking\/how-to-stop-overthinking-social-interactions\/#Determine_your_fundamental_reasons\" title=\"Determine your fundamental reasons\">Determine your fundamental reasons<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/mental-health\/overthinking\/how-to-stop-overthinking-social-interactions\/#Recognize_that_the_majority_of_people_aren%E2%80%99t_even_paying_attention\" title=\"Recognize that the majority of people aren&#8217;t even&nbsp;paying attention\">Recognize that the majority of people aren&#8217;t even&nbsp;paying attention<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/mental-health\/overthinking\/how-to-stop-overthinking-social-interactions\/#Attend_improv_courses\" title=\"Attend improv courses\">Attend improv courses<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/mental-health\/overthinking\/how-to-stop-overthinking-social-interactions\/#Examine_your_preconceptions\" title=\"Examine your preconceptions\">Examine your preconceptions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/mental-health\/overthinking\/how-to-stop-overthinking-social-interactions\/#Know_your_own_self_worth\" title=\"Know your own self worth\">Know your own self worth<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/mental-health\/overthinking\/how-to-stop-overthinking-social-interactions\/#Don%E2%80%99t_take_other_people%E2%80%99s_actions_too_seriously\" title=\"Don&#8217;t take other people&#8217;s actions too seriously\">Don&#8217;t take other people&#8217;s actions too seriously<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/mental-health\/overthinking\/how-to-stop-overthinking-social-interactions\/#Recognize_that_examining_someone%E2%80%99s_body_language_can%E2%80%99t_tell_you_what_they%E2%80%99re_thinking\" title=\"Recognize that examining someone&#8217;s body language can&#8217;t tell you what they&#8217;re thinking\">Recognize that examining someone&#8217;s body language can&#8217;t tell you what they&#8217;re thinking<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/mental-health\/overthinking\/how-to-stop-overthinking-social-interactions\/#Consistently_practice_mindfulness_meditation\" title=\"Consistently practice mindfulness meditation\">Consistently practice mindfulness meditation<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-do-we-overthink\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_do_we_overthink\"><\/span>Why do we overthink?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \">[define overthinking]. If you overthink social interactions you might also be <a href=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/mental-health\/overthinking\/how-to-stop-overthinking-in-a-relationship\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">overthinking in relationships<\/a>, or at <a href=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/mental-health\/overthinking\/how-to-stop-overthinking-at-night\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">night<\/a>. Therefore it&#8217;s necessary to first notice the <a href=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/mental-health\/overthinking-and-its-symptoms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">symptoms of overthinking<\/a> &amp; what <a href=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/mental-health\/overthinking\/effects-of-overthinking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">effects<\/a> it has on your daily life. <\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading wp-block-heading\" id=\"determine-your-fundamental-reasons\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Determine_your_fundamental_reasons\"><\/span>Determine your fundamental reasons<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \">Worrying excessively about your social abilities and what others think of you is a frequent symptom of social anxiety disorder. Shyness on the other hand&nbsp;is not a disorder. Shy people, like those suffering from SAD, are concerned about being assessed in social situations, which can lead to self-consciousness and social overthinking. Almost half of the population describes themselves as shy.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \">Introverts are prone to overthinking in general, and this applies to social relationships. If you are concerned that others may dislike you and wish to gain their favor, you may continually scrutinize your actions in order to make a good impression. This can be tiresome and lead to excessive overthinking. If you&#8217;ve been bullied in the past, fear of rejection may be a major issue for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/difference-between-anxiety-and-overthinking-3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"How To Stop Overthinking Social Interactions\" class=\"wp-image-6835\" srcset=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/difference-between-anxiety-and-overthinking-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/difference-between-anxiety-and-overthinking-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/difference-between-anxiety-and-overthinking-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/difference-between-anxiety-and-overthinking-3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/difference-between-anxiety-and-overthinking-3-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/difference-between-anxiety-and-overthinking-3-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/difference-between-anxiety-and-overthinking-3-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading wp-block-heading\" id=\"recognize-that-the-majority-of-people-arent-evenc2a0paying-attention\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Recognize_that_the_majority_of_people_aren%E2%80%99t_even_paying_attention\"><\/span>Recognize that the majority of people aren&#8217;t even&nbsp;paying attention<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \">We have a tendency to believe that everyone around us is aware of what we say and do. This is known as the Spotlight Effect.&nbsp;It&#8217;s an illusion since most individuals are far more concerned with themselves than with others. People will quickly forget your humiliating events.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \">Consider the last time a buddy of yours made a social faux pas. You probably don&#8217;t recall it unless it happened lately or had major repercussions. Remembering this might make you less worried about making mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading wp-block-heading\" id=\"attend-improv-courses\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Attend_improv_courses\"><\/span>Attend improv courses<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \">Improv lessons require you to engage with others on the spur of the moment and To stop overthinking Social Interactions. You don&#8217;t have time to second-guess what you&#8217;re doing or saying. When you incorporate this practise into your daily life, your social interactions will feel more natural. Look for lessons at your community college or a theatrical club in your area.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \">I took improv courses for nearly a year and they were quite beneficial to me.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \">You&#8217;ll certainly feel stupid at first, but you won&#8217;t have time to focus on your anxiety. A scenario or exercise may go awry at times, but this is all part of the process. You&#8217;ll realize that it&#8217;s okay to appear ridiculous in front of other people.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading wp-block-heading\" id=\"examine-your-preconceptions\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Examine_your_preconceptions\"><\/span>Examine your preconceptions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \">Overgeneralization is an example of a cognitive distortion, also known as a thinking error, as defined by psychologists. When you overgeneralize, you focus on a single error and conclude that it reveals something important about yourself. For example, if no one laughs at a joke you tell and you conclude, &#8220;No one ever laughs at my jokes, therefore I&#8217;m never humorous,&#8221; you are making an overgeneralization. When you stop overgeneralizing, you&#8217;ll probably spend less time worrying about your errors since you&#8217;ll realize they don&#8217;t reflect on you as a person.  This way you can stop overthinking Social Interactions<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/stop-overthinking-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6838\" srcset=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/stop-overthinking-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/stop-overthinking-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/stop-overthinking-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/stop-overthinking-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/stop-overthinking-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/stop-overthinking-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/stop-overthinking-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading wp-block-heading\" id=\"know-your-own-self-worth\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Know_your_own_self_worth\"><\/span>Know your own self worth<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \">If your main aim in every social scenario is to get other people to like you, you&#8217;ll likely feel self-conscious and overthink everything you do and say. It&#8217;s frequently simpler to relax and be real among people if you&#8217;ve learned to validate yourself. Because you don&#8217;t need anybody else&#8217;s approval, you&#8217;ll be less terrified of rejection.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading wp-block-heading\" id=\"dont-take-other-peoples-actions-too-seriously\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Don%E2%80%99t_take_other_people%E2%80%99s_actions_too_seriously\"><\/span>Don&#8217;t take other people&#8217;s actions too seriously<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \">When someone is nasty to you or behaves strangely, don&#8217;t think you&#8217;ve done something wrong unless they tell you differently. Overthinking might result from taking things personally. <\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \">If your boss is generally conversational and cordial but merely says &#8220;Hi&#8221; one morning before hurrying out, you might wonder:<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \">&#8220;Oh my, I&#8217;m sure I did something to irritate her\/him!&#8221;<br>&#8220;I&#8217;m not sure why she\/he doesn&#8217;t like me anymore.&#8221; &#8220;This is a disaster!&#8221;<br>Consider at least two different explanations for the other person&#8217;s conduct in this case. Continuing with the previous example:<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \">&#8220;Because our department is so busy right now, my manager may be under a lot of stress.&#8221;<br>&#8220;My boss&#8217;s focus isn&#8217;t on their job today since they&#8217;re experiencing major troubles outside of work.&#8221;<br>You&#8217;ll quit overanalyzing every unpleasant social contact with practice.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading wp-block-heading\" id=\"recognize-that-examining-someones-body-language-cant-tell-you-what-theyre-thinking\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Recognize_that_examining_someone%E2%80%99s_body_language_can%E2%80%99t_tell_you_what_they%E2%80%99re_thinking\"><\/span>Recognize that examining someone&#8217;s body language can&#8217;t tell you what they&#8217;re thinking<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \">According to research, we tend to overestimate our abilities to read body language. It&#8217;s not a wise use of your brain energy to try to figure out what someone is secretly thinking and feeling.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \">Avoid making snap decisions based on gut instinct, posture, facial expression, or gestures. Instead, as you get to know them more, pay attention to what they say, what they do, and how they treat others. Give someone the benefit of the doubt until they have proven themselves to be untrustworthy or nasty.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading wp-block-heading\" id=\"consistently-practice-mindfulness-meditation\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Consistently_practice_mindfulness_meditation\"><\/span>Consistently practice mindfulness meditation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \">Mindfulness meditation (MM) is a technique for staying in the present moment and distancing yourself from unpleasant thoughts and judgments. Overthinking and rumination are reduced in patients with anxiety disorders, according to research.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \">Mindfulness activities can also help you become less self-critical and more compassionate with yourself. This is beneficial for those with social anxiety disorder who are prone to berating themselves for little errors.<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \"><strong>Meditation has numerous&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/mindfulness\/7-benefits-of-meditation-for-your-mind-body\/\">benefits<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/mindfulness\/7-benefits-of-meditation-for-your-mind-body\/\">advantages<\/a>. If you&rsquo;re looking to start meditating or build your practice and you want to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/mindfulness\/guided-meditation-how-to-get-started\/\">get started<\/a>&nbsp;on your journey of guided meditation or meditation at home, we can help.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph \"><strong>Evolve has over 50+ guided meditation audios designed to make it light, refreshing and easy to learn.&nbsp; The Evolve app is now live globally on Android &amp; Apple, click&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/evolveinc.app.link\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>&nbsp;to try for free!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do you have trouble turning off the small voice in your brain while you&#8217;re at a party? Do you ever wonder if the person you&#8217;re speaking with thinks you&#8217;re boring? Do you wish you could go through just one social engagement without second-guessing yourself, becoming uptight, and obsessing over every &#8220;mistake&#8221;? You&#8217;ll learn what causes &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":6837,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[467,372],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6661"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6661"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6661\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7739,"href":"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6661\/revisions\/7739"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6837"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6661"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6661"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/evolveinc.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6661"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}