All of us think. It is part of being a human being. But sometimes we think, and we think too much. This is called overthinking. It is thinking about the same thing again and again. It is worrying about choices, or problems, too much. And it goes over old stuff you did in the past or worries about things that might happen in the future.
Overthinking can make it feel like your mind is stuck. It doesn’t stop. It can make you tired. Also, it can create stress. It can take away your peace. But why do we do this? Why does our brain go around in circles? There are many reasons why people overthink. In this blog, we will talk about overthinking in this simple way. We will also learn how psychology describes this phenomenon. And we will look at how to stop this from taking over our lives.
Read more: How to Handle Fear of the Unknown
What is Overthinking?
Overthinking is when someone thinks about something for too long. When we ask too many “what if” questions. When we worry about what might happen. Overthinking is when we think about our old mistakes in our head again and again.
When we overthink, our mind is running like a machine. But instead of helping us solve our problems, it creates more problems for us. It feels like we are stuck between fear and confusion.
It Begins Small
You want to make a good decision. You want to be careful. Also, you want to make sure things go well. So you start thinking. Then you keep thinking. You do not stop thinking.
Then there are so many thoughts. You become uncertain. You start to doubt yourself. Your thinking turns into anxiety. Now instead of moving forward, you feel stuck.
Why Do We Overthink?
People often struggle with overthinking because of their fear of failure. They are worried about making a mistake. They crave perfection. So, they keep thinking and trying to find the right answer.
Some people overthink because of pain. They have memories of when something went wrong. They do not want to feel pain again. So, they overthink to try and create a sense of safety. But they never find safety.
Overthinking and Fear
Fear makes overthinking worse. When we fear the unknown, our mind tries to find answers. So it continues its search for answers. And tried to prepare for every possible outcome.
But fear is never satisfied. It keeps asking more questions. It creates doubts. So your mind feels busy and tired. Your heart feels heavy and confused.
Psychology: Your Brain Wants to Solve
Psychologists have noted that the brain has a preference for problem-solving. The brain wants to fix things, and that’s a good thing. But the brain gets busy, and when it fears the unknown, it becomes reactive. It does all the intricate work of overthinking, which then leads to trying to control everything, even the things that cannot be controlled.
The brain believes that it will be safer the more it thinks. But it won’t. Pondering possibilities enhances stress; it guesses that the problem is more than it is. And so, it gets caught in a looping cycle of overthinking.
Perfectionism Makes It Worse
Some people engage in perfectionism. They want to say the perfect words. They want to make the perfect choice. This gets harder because instead of acting, they put lots of pressure on themselves.
Perfection creates fear of failure, and suffering in a state without action, and makes tiny unique decisions feel huge variations. It makes ordinary moments feel loaded with risk, and so once again, the dynamic is on thinking, rather than acting.
The Past and Future Trap
Overthinking is that magical aspect of the brain that exists in the past and future. It expects of itself, the ability to predict what it might have done. It imposes that what may never happen is even possible, and in doing so takes itself away from being present in a moment.
Real peace exists only in the present. The more I am stuck in the past or future, and resulting thought. The more I become anxious. Also, the more I overthink, the less I enjoy life.
Psychology: The Impact of Overthinking on Mental Health
Overthinking can result in mental fatigue. Psychologists have linked this mental pain to anxiety and depression. It takes away joy and calmness, weakens focus, and increases fear.
When the brain is constantly distracted, it cannot rest comfortably. The brain feels tired even when nothing is done, this fatigue can transform into sadness, frustration, or helplessness. Stopping the mental chaos of overthinking is beneficial to well-being.
How to Know If You Are Overthinking
You may be an excessive overthinker, if: You replay conversations in your mind. Or, you struggle to make even simple decisions.
You are always thinking of the worst possible outcome.
You cannot escape your thoughts, even when you want to relax.
These are all signs that your brain needs to remember to rest.
Overthinking Affects Sleep
Overthinking creates difficulty in obtaining sleep. A lot of people lay in bed while thinking about their day. They wonder if they accidentally said something incorrectly. They plan for the next day, over and over. This process makes falling asleep difficult, and even if they can pass out for the night, the rest is not that restful, and now they wake up tired, and the next day starts all over again.
How to Stop Overthinking
First, figure out when it starts – awareness is the first step. Say to yourself, “I am overthinking now.” Then take a deep breath. Second, work on what you can control and let go of what you can’t. Third, restrict your thinking time. Set a timer. Allow yourself to think for 10 minutes, then stop.
Fourth, write your thoughts down. It helps you see them and puts them on paper. It will clear your head too.
Fifth, distract your thinking. Go for a walk. Listen to some soothing sounds. Talk to someone nice. Do something artistic.
Choose Action Over Thinking
Thinking is good. Overthinking gets in the way of action. So choose to act. Even small steps help change the negative pattern. Even small choices can help alleviate the negative feelings. Not every decision has to be the right decision. Some decisions just need to have been made. Action creates movement. Movement creates change.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is staying in the present moment, which helps with overthinking. Focus on your breath, feel your body, and notice the sounds around you. When you are present your mind stops thinking about the past and future. You feel lighter. You feel safer.
Say Kind Words to Yourself
A lot of overthinkers speak poorly to themselves. Things like, “I’m not good enough.” “I always fail.” When you think these things you bring fear into your life.
Instead, say something nice. “I am doing my best.” “I can learn from this.” Kind words change the way you think. They give you strength.
Let Go
You can’t control everything. That’s ok. Letting go does not mean you let go. It means you choose to be at peace.
Trust that things will fall into place. Trust yourself and the process. Life doesn’t have to be perfect. But, you can still keep moving forward.
