Are you constantly caught in the web of overthinking? If so, you're not alone. A study from the University of Michigan found that 73% of 25-35 year old's, and 52% of 45-55 year old's are overthinkers.
If you are an overthinker, you have probably noticed the pervasive nature of overthinking and the impact it can have on your mental wellbeing, leading to sleeplessness, increased anxiety, chances of depression, and poor physical health.
Overthinking can be really destructive; if you are struggling with it, let's explore how it presents and how you can address it.
What does overthinking look like?
Overthinking can manifest in various forms, each presenting its own set of challenges and obstacles:
You're faced with a decision, big or small, and yet you find yourself endlessly dissecting every possible outcome, unable to act for fear of making the wrong choice.
Past events haunt your thoughts as you replay scenarios in your mind, searching for clues or signs of what could have been done differently, leading to a cycle of "should haves" and "could haves."
The future looms large in your mind, painted with both hopes and fears, as you envision countless scenarios and potential pitfalls, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and uncertain.
Where does it come from?
Overthinking comes from your ego – and not the definition of ego you might be thinking of. Your ego is your sense of self. It is the self-perception you have built over time, and it carries with you all your values, beliefs, filters, and unconscious modus operandi. It is the framework through which you interpret the world.
Your ego creates stories around a situation which leads to overthinking. It takes your emotions around a situation and creates a narrative purely based on that, neglecting logic and fact.
Our judgement of others, and also of ourselves, can also feed into overthinking. Decision paralysis can be a result of being hyper-aware of what others think of us, and worrying what others will think if we make a wrong decision. You can find yourself trapped in a cycle of over-analysis, afraid to face the imagined scrutiny of others. This hyper-awareness can be suffocating, leaving you stuck in a state of perpetual worry and second-guessing.
The negative impact of overthinking
The toll of overthinking extends far beyond the mind and can seep into every aspect of your life. Your inner thoughts control your neurochemistry, your hormones, and the entire network of chemicals that run your body. The constant barrage of thoughts drains your mental energy, leaving you feeling fatigued and depleted. Overthinking often triggers a rollercoaster of emotions, ranging from anxiety and stress to frustration and self-doubt. As your mind becomes consumed by overanalysis, you can find yourself unable to take decisive action, perpetuating a cycle of indecision and inaction.
You need to break this cycle. Start by accepting the situation. Take a step back and look at the narrative your ego has crafted. Bring logic and fact back into the story, detach from your ego, and the stories it creates.
Embrace the practice of mindfulness to anchor yourself in the present moment and observe your thoughts with curiosity and compassion. Recognise the purpose of these thoughts, the place that they come from in the values and beliefs they are rooted in, and detach from them.
Question the validity of your thoughts and challenge cognitive distortions that may be fuelling your overthinking patterns. Learn to see the difference between logic and reason and your monkey mind.
Establish boundaries with your thoughts by allocating specific time periods for reflection and problem-solving, allowing yourself to step away when needed. Use journalling as a tool for this.
Remember that you are not defined by your thoughts or your struggles. You possess the inherent strength and resilience to transcend your overthinking patterns and cultivate a life filled with clarity, purpose, and peace. Your inner world is reflected in your outer world. If you want to make a change in your outer world, change your inner world.
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