The problem is more often than not perceived negatively however, it can be a positive thing. But not when it leads to anxiety of course, that’s terrible. So, Are you an over-thinker? Are you overthinking this?
When it’s actually analysing, overthinking can mean you’re prepared for whatever the world has to throw at you because you’ve had time to think it through. To analyse every potential outcome and what you’ll do if said event occurs.
However, the reason overthinking is thought of in a less than favorable light most of the time, is because it stops us from living in the present moment.
So ask yourself, Are you an over-thinker? Are you overthinking this situation?
The idea behind mindfulness is not a new one. It’s been around for millennia.
The premise behind mindfulness is to allow yourself to live in the moment, to not be distracted by the million and one things that are seemingly more pressing. The things that are trying to get you to live in the past or worry about the future.
Mindfulness teaches you to enjoy the here and now. When we overthink, we get caught up in our heads, and then we can get bogged down in the weeds.
By overthinking we end up losing ourselves in a different reality, becoming trapped in a world of what ifs, the should haves, the would haves or could haves.
If we stay there it leads to anxiety, fretting, depression, dread and worry. The only way to escape the suffering is to let go, and that’s easier said than done.
Replaying past events or planning all eventualities for the future is exhausting, time consuming and destructive.
Numerous studies have shown:
● Overthinking can lead to mental health problems.
● It inhibits your actual capability of problem-solving.
● It stops you sleeping (which leads back to the first point).
When you become aware of going over and over things in your mind stop and ask yourself, Are you an over-thinker? Are you overthinking this?
You don’t have to be like this forever. There are steps you can take to free your mind and take back control.