All articles tagged with #overthinking
Top British psychologist Dr. Julie Smith highlights five hidden signs of stress—irritability, procrastination, overthinking, trouble concentrating, and numbing out—that should not be ignored, as they can have serious health implications if left unaddressed.
The article explores seven secret pleasures of overthinkers, such as replaying conversations, constructing worst-case scenarios, exploring etymology, imagining dialogues, creating decision spreadsheets, indulging in philosophical tangents, and constantly rating choices. These mental activities, while often seen as exhausting, serve as cognitive exercises that enhance decision-making, creativity, empathy, and resilience, turning overthinking into a form of mental cross-training.
To live life to the fullest, it's important to let go of joy-stealing habits. These include overthinking, procrastination, neglecting self-care, comparing oneself to others, holding onto grudges, neglecting relationships, fearing failure, living in the past or future, and ignoring passions. By making conscious choices to break these habits, individuals can enhance their happiness and experience life to the fullest.
Therapist Paul Sheppard has shared a simple mindset hack to stop overthinking in seconds. By going to a safe place, closing your eyes, and asking yourself, "I wonder what my next thought will be?" you can clear your mind and prevent spiraling into overthinking. Many people have found this technique effective, while others with ADHD have reported mixed results.
Bestselling author Jim Collins emphasizes the importance of "productive paranoia" for highly successful individuals, which involves anticipating potential setbacks and planning for them. This mindset includes over-preparing for presentations, acquiring skills that may be useful in the future, and constantly considering potential scenarios. However, experts caution against overthinking and suggest focusing on one challenge at a time to avoid negative impacts on mental health.
A new study has shown that a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy called rumination-focused CBT can reduce overthinking in teenagers, which is a major risk factor for depression and anxiety. The therapy works by reducing connectivity between brain regions associated with obsessive thinking, breaking the negative thought loop. The study found that rumination-focused CBT significantly reduced the focus on negative experiences in teenagers, improving their mental well-being. This therapy could be a groundbreaking intervention for treating depression and anxiety in young people, who are particularly vulnerable to poor mental health.
Rumination-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (RF-CBT) has shown promise in reducing overthinking among adolescents, with associated changes in brain connectivity observed through fMRI scans. The study offers hope in mitigating the long-term mental health impact on teens, especially during challenging times like the pandemic. RF-CBT, originally designed for adults with recurrent depression, has been adapted for younger individuals, providing them with tools to break out of painful mental loops and prevent depressive relapse. The research demonstrates the same neural and clinical effects across two different samples, highlighting the potential of RF-CBT in fostering healthier mental habits in adolescents.
Overthinking at night can interfere with sleep and prevent restful rest. It can be fueled by various factors such as stress, anxiety, or mental health conditions. To combat overthinking, there are several strategies that can be helpful, including using soothing distractors, scheduling worry time, trying exposure therapy for thoughts, examining overlooked feelings, and practicing rational thinking. Cultivating self-soothing techniques and maintaining a pad of paper bedside can also be beneficial. These strategies aim to reduce or eliminate overthinking and promote better sleep.
On August 12, 2023, the Cancer Moon may cause difficulties for Gemini, Leo, and Scorpio. These zodiac signs may experience self-doubt, overthinking, and emotional sensitivity. Gemini may feel frustrated by their ongoing self-doubt, while Leo may dwell on past memories and feel dissatisfied with the present. Scorpio may perceive a minor setback as a major failure, leading to a raw and snappy mood. It is advised for these signs to take responsibility for their happiness, work through their emotions, and avoid snapping at others.
Pittsburgh Steelers receiver George Pickens discusses his success against "overthinker" cornerbacks like Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey, highlighting their tendency to become flatfooted and forget their positioning. Pickens also reveals a unique tactic of pushing cornerbacks in a seated chair position, catching them off guard. With his physicality and strategic approach, Pickens could become a go-to option for the Steelers this season.
Growing up with anxiety can have long-lasting effects on mental health, academic performance, and relationships. Signs of childhood anxiety include heightened sensitivity, constant fear of judgment, avoidance of social interaction, seeking reassurance in relationships, always expecting the worst, fear of uncontrollable situations, overanalyzing every situation, struggling with confidence, difficulty moving past life hurdles, and separation issues. While managing anxiety can be a lifelong battle, individuals can gain more control over their illness as they grow older.
Three zodiac signs, Virgo, Libra, and Scorpio, will have a rough day on June 24 due to their extreme desire for perfection and the pressure they put on themselves. The Virgo Moon will make them feel disheartened and create an atmosphere of self-doubt. They may face obstacles beyond their control, leading to frustration and anger. The perfectionist side of Scorpio may anticipate bad scenarios, leading to overthinking. It's important to keep things within the realm of reality and not beat oneself up.
On May 16, 2023, the cosmic transit of Mars trine Neptune will affect three zodiac signs, namely Gemini, Virgo, and Scorpio, causing them to have rough horoscopes. This transit brings up inner fears and makes us feel as though we've been slighted, leading to vengeance fantasies and dark desires. These zodiac signs may overreact or deny their feelings, leading to a day of stuffing down emotions. Gemini will feel angry and stuck in the past, Virgo may indulge in negative thinking, and Scorpio may regress into a dark mood and become hostile towards others.
Overthinking can have long-term consequences for our health, but a strategy in the form of a sweet little song can help us through the dark. Overthinking can be defined within three broad categories of rumination, worry, and obsessional thinking. Clinical psychiatry professor Emanuel Maidenberg recommends "learning to observe [thoughts] without being engaged with the process of thinking itself" by using a sensory experience, typically breathing, as an anchor. With practice, this exercise can provide "enough distance from one's thoughts to not be affected by an emotional content, which in turn leads [to] a decrease in frequency and stickiness of worry or rumination."
On April 20, 2023, during the Sun square Pluto, three zodiac signs, Leo, Scorpio, and Pisces, may experience their worst fears coming true. However, it is more likely that they will manifest their fears as nervousness, overthinking, and self-doubt, leading to self-destructive behavior. Leo may struggle with authority figures, Scorpio may confront deep-seated emotional issues, and Pisces may face their deepest fears and anxieties. The transit may create power struggles and conflicts of will, leading to a need for control or feelings of powerlessness.