Ankur Warikoo says one 'lie' you tell yourself can stop overthinking. Here's why

Have you ever replayed the same decision in your head over and over, only to end up feeling more confused than when you started? Overthinking has a way of making even simple choices feel overwhelming. According to entrepreneur and content creator Ankur Warikoo, the solution isn't always to think harder. Instead, it can be about changing the way your mind approaches uncertainty. In a recent social media post, he shared "5 non-obvious ways to stop overthinking," offering practical techniques that can help break the cycle of endless analysis.

Tricking the mind

Warikoo began with what he called an unconventional mental trick. He suggested deliberately reducing the perceived risk of a decision by telling yourself, "Even if this doesn't work, this is how I will fix it later." He admitted that this reassurance "can be a lie," but explained that it works because you're "playing a game with your mind" that makes the decision feel less intimidating. Instead of focusing on everything that could go wrong, the exercise shifts attention to the possibility of recovery, making it easier to move forward.

Stop giving it unlimited time

Another key suggestion is to stop giving overthinking unlimited time. Warikoo advised setting yourself a firm deadline to decide because, as he put it, "overthinking spreads." The longer you allow your mind to circle around the same problem, the bigger and more complicated it can become. A clear time limit prevents endless mental loops and encourages action.

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Talking your thoughts

He also recommended talking your thoughts through with someone you trust. According to Warikoo, simply saying your worries out loud can change your perspective. You may even realise, as he noted, "how silly those thoughts actually are." What feels enormous inside your head can often seem far less threatening once it is spoken aloud and heard by someone else.

5-year-old perspective

The entrepreneur also encouraged people to use what he described as a five-year perspective. When you're caught in a spiral of worry, ask yourself whether the issue will still matter five years from now. Warikoo explained that overthinking often makes "small things bigger," but stretching your timeline helps put problems back into their true perspective. Many everyday anxieties lose their emotional intensity when viewed through a longer-term lens.

Moving your body

His final tip has nothing to do with thinking at all. Instead, it involves getting your body moving before making a decision. Warikoo described this as a "very surprising" but effective strategy. It doesn't require an intense workout. A short walk, changing rooms, cleaning your cupboard or going for a run can all work. Any physical activity that shifts your attention away from your thoughts and into movement can help create the mental space needed to make a clearer decision.


Through these five practical suggestions, Warikoo's message is simple: overthinking isn't always solved by more thinking. Sometimes, changing your perspective, limiting decision time, sharing your thoughts, zooming out or simply moving your body can be enough to quiet the mental noise and help you move forward.