15 Psychological Facts About Overthinkers - JournalHow You probably do. It clarified what can be done or said to help someone who suffers with the habit of overthinking and also explained why such words or actions would be helpful. I ALWAYS do this. The train stopped and the man said, "I don't want to get arrested, can someone help me?". Jot down some of the thoughts swirling around in your head. It helps one learn to first identify the errors, then to reframe the thinking in more logical and balanced ways, says Duke. An overthinker often has negative self-talk, which can lead them into a downward spiral of negative thinking. You will notice that we try to distract our loved ones by taking them out but they still seem distracted by their thoughts. With CBT, you will learn how to recognize that youre spiraling and engaging in unhelpful rumination. Why? But for some reason people just come to me. Techniques, including deep breathing and asking for help from a healthcare professional, may help alleviate the stress of overthinking. Someone prone to analyzing a fact or situation to an extreme degree. Maybe its a friend, a family member, or even yourself. Youre really trying to only worry during your worry period. By allowing the overthinker to talk continuously about something that bothers them, not only are you helping them get out of their thoughts but you are helping them clear what confuses them because speaking about something is easier to perceive and work upon rather than thinking about it! The next time you find yourself tossing and turning over your thoughts, close your eyes and breathe deeply. I cant seem to eradicate the repeating images on my mind that sometimes my body and my mind are become affected. Do you know someone who is an overthinker? These are things you should never say to an overthinker! Being grateful for the things and people around you is another useful method to stop overthinking. 1 Overthinkers are not only highly aware of their thoughts, but. I am an overthinker? Someone who likes to read between the lines, over analyse, pick at the tiniest of details to stick clues together and understand how these small jigsaw puzzles can fit together to make the bigger picture. ), dont worry about any of it! But unless you are an overthinker yourself, you dont really know the constant struggle juggling countless thoughts at once, the surge of worrying thoughts that go in our minds. In that moment, they simply be. How To Stop Overthinking - Cleveland Clinic They focus on other people before themselves. Encouraging them to write, paint, or sculpt can help give their thoughts a constructive outlet and prevent them from becoming overwhelmed by their own mind. "It's best to be proactive . For I know the thoughts I think towards you, thoughts of hope and of peace, to give you an expected end and a future, Jeremiah 29:11. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. However, even good intentions can backfire when not done in the proper way. I look at things emotionally rather than logically. Just imagine if we didnt overthink things -- we could be in big trouble. That is why you're an overthinker. Will anyone really care that you bought a fruit plate for the potluck instead of baking a pie from scratch? Learn ways to manage your worrying and find relief. When youre in the midst of worrying, you dont always recognize it, she says. We know. 7. Keep this in mind as I share the three hacks I've developed to turn my overthinking into my most powerful weapon. Battling Anxiety: An Open Letter to an Overthinker. Trying to change an overthinker will only lead to frustration and resentment, so its best to accept them for who they are. However, these unfortunate people cannot stop thinking so easily nor do they get distracted. 1. (2020). and maybe you dont even realizeyoure an overthinker. Acknowledge that your feelings are true for you in the moment. Deliberate, considered,weighing up all the options, You have deep and insightful reflections, an ability to look at things strategically and from various angles, the gift of being able to plan and devise, the foresight to predict, but you also struggle with stress and anxiety, emotional and physical lethargy, rumination, stagnancy, relationship difficulties. However, it could be advised that they need to spend a balanced amount of time thinking about things that seem important to them. However, its important to just listen and let them know that youre there for them. Yet most importantly, I write this letter to you so that you realize the importance of why you should stop overthinking and start actually living. Remember to always be patient and supportive of them throughout their journey. Overthinking is a habit that can be hard to break. He is the head over every power and authority., The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. You dont have to take this perspective for granted, but dont push us away just because we have an overthinking mind. This is part two of a three part series on overthinking. Did you feel that? I couldn't give this man the required fare so that he could walk away and get his fix. Feb 26, 2021. For example, you may start worrying about a specific situation at work, which leads to worrying about money, which leads to worrying about losing your job. Sometimes, you might go over the same thoughts repeatedly because you arent taking any concrete actions about a certain situation. Is there an alternative possibility? You just need to remember you can choose peace. God says I am His child, and I will not allow the lies of the enemy to take root in my mind and rob me of my peace. While having these thoughts is normal, it becomes a problem when you focus only on the worst-case scenario. When I say I love you, I mean I am infatuated. Testing the differential effects of acceptance and attention-based psychological interventions on intrusive thoughts and worry. But eventually what happens is you develop better control over your worrying., Do you constantly ponder questions like What if I lose my job? or What if I get sick?. This is the term that psychologists use to define overthinkers like you and I. He took his face out of his palms and gazed at me with empty eyes, "I got in line for the Amtrak, pushed past people and said I had to use the bathroom. The next time you find yourself continuously running things over in your mind, take note of how it affects your mood. Registered psychotherapist Natacha Duke, MA, RP, outlines strategies that can help. One way to help an overthinker is to encourage them to focus on the present moment. Going back to our previous comment on telling someone what is and what is not important should be up to the person themself. Overthinking is an unhealthy habit that typically causes more stress by focusing on the negative, dwelling on the past and worrying about the future. All rights reserved. How are you beginning and ending your day? She also loves to write and binge watch anime or TV series. Pay attention to the emotions and bodily responses that arise. Also, someone going through issues or someone who is not able to help with a habit would never want to hear you restate what they already know. { This can lead to them feeling anxious and stressed, as they are constantly living in their head. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. If youre dealing with an overthinker, its important to encourage them to take breaks from time to time. Healthy distraction can be helpful, says Duke. Break down the emotions youre experiencing and try to identify what youre telling yourself about the situation. Sometimes, it may be necessary for an overthinker to seek professional help in order to truly overcome their difficulties. Quite often, its not until youre in the presence of someone who doesnt overthink that your overthinking tendencies become apparent. Helping them can be a long process, but with time and effort, they can learn to manage their thoughts and overcome their difficulties. What does your inner dialogue sound like when you face a problem or challenge? It's not a rare occasion when a stranger approaches me and tells me about their life, but there was one man I met who I will never forget. Use this time to either explore potential distractions or dabble in existing ones. What Not To Say To An Overthinker (7 Things. i try to hold myself back constantly, i'm still learning not to be a sucker for your attention coz that's not how a relationship should . 4. Its just that we worry too freakin much and we want others to see our perspective. We cant just stop overthinking and think normally. Yelling the words through pen and letters. To be honest, sometimes the suggestions to shift your thinking to other things like a hobby, are not a long term solution for me. The information on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. Its really about being able to extend love, kindness and forgiveness to yourself, says Duke. This will not only help them to stop being curious about things but will also demonstrate to them how to get over a certain thought. Then, go through your list and highlight the worries that you can problem-solve, things you have control over.. Whether it is a mistake, a wrong move, worries, anxiety, or no matter what it is. Overthinking is what potentially ruins relationships. Unfortunately, these people have difficulties getting things done because they demand perfection. Let us expand that, dont worry about the negative perceptions others might have about you, dont worry about why youre still single, dont worry about that research paper (ahem! Our guide to affordable therapy can get you started. These dont need to be huge accomplishments. Thats an intrusive thought. I sat down on the bench, put my headphones in, and zoned out. What Not To Say To An Overthinker (7 Things | OptimistMinds Would you like to let go of overthinking? Relationships are hard for anyone. An Overthinker's Letter To Their Lover You take certain ordinary things and make them extraordinary. It is not only irritating but they might get hurt and may end up in that endless loop of thinking especially with your reminders. You are probably questioning what this means for you, and assuming that its a bad thing to consider yourself an over-thinker. I couldn't live with myself knowing that he could so easily lock the bathroom door, shoot up too much. Father, As Tony says, "Identify your problems, but give your power and energy to solutions.". You are living life at your full potential when you stop overthinking every possible scenario. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. It is true that the overthinker will spend hours thinking over something for many reasons such as being unable to control their thoughts or because they derive a certain pleasure from staying in their head and thinking. So take a deep breath and relax. Im sure you are overthinking right now as to why you clicked on this letter. One thing you will learn in therapy is how to not get caught up in your worrying, says Duke. When she isnt blissing out to music, you can find Tahlee wandering about the rainforest, eating good food with good friends, and laughing out loud. My name is Alesha Barrett and I'm a junior at SUNY Oswego. Other times, we think about lifes bigger pictures a bit too in depth. So please try to understand our perspective. I'm one of those lot, the type to overanalyse and . Yes this is absolutely the worst thing you could say to anyone let alone an overthinker. A quote by philosopher Lao Tzu says it the best: If you are depressed you are living in the past, if you are anxious you are living in the future, and if you are at peace you are living in the present., "I locked the door, shaved my face, made myself comfortable on the toilet seat and shot a little dope.". "I didn't pay to get here though.". It was hot outside and the smell of garbage nauseated me, but there wasn't a trash can in sight. We want to be loved too, we want to connect with others. Hence to state, Your Fears Are Just Thoughts, is not only a simplification of the problem but can also hurt the person because they will feel as though they are not understood. This challenge wasn't as easy as it looked when I first saw it. How will all the issues floating around in your mind affect you 5 or 10 years from now? Low Heart Rate: What It Is and When to Worry. It's not that I have a cheery face. All Rights Reserved. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Noun. The word anxious is defined as feeling or showing worry, nervousness or unease about something with an uncertain outcome (end). How to Stop Overthinking: 5 Lessons from an Overthinker - LinkedIn Instead of having it ruin your day, let your feelings help you make better choices. This could be done by focusing on the positives in life or setting realistic goals that they can achieve. Furthermore, we will later look at how to deal with an overthinker for the better understanding of the readers. 1. Suppose Sunflowers Were Blooming in Ukraine. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Sometimes we need to overdose ourselves with what consumes us to truly understand its bad effects not recommended with everything though! Sure, these thoughts are okay to wonder about every once in a while, but if you constantly overanalyze them, you will unintentionally put your mind in an anxious state. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. (2017). Best Motivational Quotes For Overthinkers To Improve Your Life [2022] Posted on 05/29/2023 by pennbook 29 May If you spend more time thinking about life's challenges and less time doing the things that you love, then you're an overthinker. I was shocked to see a man behind me. event : evt, I freak out randomly about something you said fourteendays ago, then I try to analyze why you said it. An Open Letter To The Overthinker - The Odyssey Online Practise gratitude. An Overthinker's Letter To Their Lover - Her Campus Letter To The Girl Who Overthinks Everything - The Odyssey Online Every move you make and word you say, I remember. But sometimes, overthinking can take over and interfere with your ability to function in your daily life. listeners: [], An open letter to my overthinking self Dear Nicay Are you an overthinker? Make no mistake, there is so much beauty that is born in the mind of the overthinker, but, more often than not, there is also distress and anguish. Find a comfortable place to sit and relax your neck and shoulders.