Best Advice: Over Analysis

I have this problem where I over think EVERYTHING. I stress and worry myself sick over the most minute problems or concerns. It's exhausting, to be honest. This habit goes into overdrive when I am faced with a situation in which I am unsure about an outcome or flat out have no control. I worry and over analyze and generally work myself into a crying, irrational, anxiety-ridden ball of hysterics. Those who have witnessed this can attest that it is not a pretty or pleasant sight.

During one such episode ("they weren't attacks; they were episodes!"), I sought the advice and comfort of a good friend of mine. After nearly an hour of listening very patiently to me dumping all of my problems, concerns, and woes on him and giving bits of advice , he looked at me and said this:

Stop thinking about it. 

Let's go do something fun to distract you. 

Simple, right? It worked like a charm. As soon my thoughts were occupied with something else completely unrelated to my problem, I calmed down considerably. Did my problem go away? Absolutely not. It was still right there when my friend and I parted ways later that night, but focusing on something else helped me to view the problem (slightly) more rationally. And even though I had many more crying spells and freaked out about that same trial of mine many a time, that hour I spent playing card games was exactly what I needed. 

To this day, when I feel myself teetering on the edge of intense over-analysis, I remind myself to STOP and give my poor mind and heart and tear ducts a break by doing something that will bring me joy. It's not a magic Balm of Gilead that makes my problems go away, but it gives me time to relax, take a step back, and face the problem with more rationality and less dramatic hysteria.

And in my experience, that is ALWAYS a good thing.