Mindfulness,  Product Reviews,  Reduce Anxiety & Stress

6 Best Books on Overthinking: Get Rid of Negative Thought Patterns and Understand How to Overcome Overthinking

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Overthinking is a common thought pattern that many people experience at some point in their life. We all think too much, but some of us are more prone to overthinking than others. Overthinking can be a useful tool for exploring ideas and solving problems. However, when it becomes persistent and excessive, it can be detrimental to your physical and mental health.

We researched and reviewed some of the most recommended books on overthinking and anxiety, and want to share what we thought of each book with you.

Unf*ck Your Brain by Faith G. Harper


If you haven’t read the book, it’s fantastic. It is written in a very conversational style that is easy to read and digest. She provides great examples and stories that make her points clear and memorable. The book is not based on any medical or scientific evidence (which is not necessarily a bad thing).

It’s based on her own experiences and those of others with anxiety, OCD, depression, PTSD, etc. I recall reading the reviews for this book and thinking that I would be in the minority when I gave it 5 stars. But when I actually read it, I found that I was not alone in my love for it! I highly recommend this book if you are struggling with anxiety (as I am) and/or have someone in your life who struggles with anxiety (as many of us do). Click here to see my full review of the book.

Clear Your Mind: Stop Overthinking, Tune Out Mental Chatter And Worry Less – Balance Your Emotional And Rational Mind by Steven Schuster


This book is for anyone who wants to learn how to stop overthinking and worrying. The author, Steven Schuster, knows what it’s like to be a worrier. He spent his childhood and young adult years worrying about things that were out of his control. He was always tense and unhappy. But then he learned how to balance his emotions and use logic. He found calmness within himself and the will to live life without being ruled by worry and doubt.

The book begins with a detailed explanation of how your mind works. It explains why you worry so much, even though you don’t want to. It also covers the solutions that are available if you decide to take action instead of continuing to get stuck in the same patterns of thinking over and over again. It covers many different aspects of problem-solving, including:

  • How to manage your emotional mind so you can think rationally without getting pulled into a downward spiral of worry
  • How to stop worrying about things that are out of your control How to stop obsessing about problems you can’t solve
  • How to stop dwelling on past mistakes or failures How to avoid turning problems into catastrophes in your mind
  • How to change negative thoughts into positive thoughts and find happiness within yourself

The book also teaches you about specific techniques you can use if you are suffering from anxiety or depression

A Manual for Living by Epictetus

In my opinion, the best book I’ve ever read on how to control your thoughts and feelings is A Manual for Living by Epictetus. Translated from the original Greek, Epictetus was a well-respected Stoic philosopher who lived in the 1st century CE. His teachings are timeless, and his words will reach you in ways that few other authors can.

The book starts with a great quote: “Difficulties are things that show a person what they are.” And it only gets better from there. Epictetus teaches us how to be grateful for everything we have, no matter if it’s something we actively desire or not. He teaches us to be grateful for our bodies even though they age and die; he teaches us to be grateful for everything we experience because it allows us to learn and grow as people; he teaches us that we should never want more than what we have now — but to always want more than what we currently have — because this will help fuel all of our ambitions.

These teachings might sound like simple common sense at first glance — but it’s rare enough to find a book where common sense is actually common. These teachings can change your life if you let them. They did change my life for the better.

Finally, I highly recommend reading this book slowly and taking notes so that each sentence can sink into your mind. If you take notes while reading this book on how best to live your life based on Epictetus’s teachings, then I guarantee your life will improve dramatically over time.

Stillness Speaks by Eckhart Tolle

Stillness Speaks was written by Eckhart Tolle, a German-born in 1948. He gained popularity in the last decade for his book The Power of Now, which has sold over 5 million copies. The majority of his work is about the Self, or the ego, and how we are all human beings looking for happiness out in the world instead of within ourselves. He also writes about how we are all actually one self and that there is no separation between anyone. To access the full potential we have as humans, we need to be still in the present moment. He has come to this conclusion after experiencing a spiritual awakening himself.

This book has been reviewed by many people from many different walks of life and most say they have learned something from it. One reviewer said that while reading this book he felt like he was reading a dictionary of wisdom.

One thing to keep in mind when reading this book is that it was written by someone who has had a spiritual awakening and now refers to himself as “pointless” and “empty” because he feels like that is what people want to hear from him. A lot of reviewers say they don’t agree with everything he says but still feel like it was a worthwhile read. One even said that if you read this book with an open mind, you will find peace within yourself.

This book is considered one of the best books on overthinking available today because it focuses on being present in every moment, which can certainly help those struggling with overthinking which is usually caused by living too much in their heads.

Reclaim Your Brain by Joseph A. Annibali MD

Reclaim Your Brain is an interesting book about how to reduce stress, anxiety, and overthinking and get your life back under control. The book is divided into three parts.

Part 1 explains the causes of stress, anxiety, and overthinking—and why it’s so hard to overcome them.

Part 2 gives you concrete strategies for dealing with these problems. You’ll learn about four types of thinking that cause problems (personalizing, catastrophizing, mind reading, and “should” statements), what makes you anxious or stressed (your “anxiety thermostat”), how to use your senses to feel more grounded in the present moment, and much more.

Parts 3 talks about bringing mindfulness into your daily routine (including a mindfulness exercise that includes coffee).

Lastly, the end of the book is full of resources for additional help, including an appendix on different types of therapists (and how to find the right one for you). You can also check out Dr. Annibali’s website, which has a free video series on how to get started with some of the techniques in this book.

Rewire: Change Your Brain to Break Bad Habits, Overcome Addictions, Conquer Self-Destructive Behavior by Richard O’Connor

For those of us who struggle with anxiety, this book has been a life-changer. The author is a psychologist who has suffered from anxiety his entire life. He describes the suffering of anxiety and what happens inside your brain during an attack. He explains how your brain creates fear and anxiety and how it can be rewired to reduce your suffering, create more confidence, and live a happier life.

The book includes worksheets and exercises to help you change your brain and your life. It’s not just theory; it’s practical advice that works! I read the book when I was at my worst with anxiety, but I still found it helpful even though I wasn’t able to do all of the exercises. Even if you don’t have time to do all the exercises, you will learn so much about anxiety from this book that can help you get through an attack or reduce suffering in everyday life.

Marc is the creator of Mindful Searching, a content site dedicated to providing actionable, unbiased tips to reduce anxiety, stress, and improve cognitive performance. He's struggled with social anxiety for many years. Over the last 5 years, Marc has been researching and testing lifestyle changes, products, and techniques to build a happier, healthier, anxiety-free life.