I think too much, what to do?

I think too much, what to do?

In certain situations, no matter what happens, sometimes when nothing happens, we ruminate, we reflect, we pass judgments, we analyze, we wonder if… In short, we think too much.

When your brain can no longer provide you with concrete ideas, you feel like it is overheating. Seeing yourself alone in this situation compared to others who seem to have control over their thoughts, there is such a jumble in your head that you no longer know what to do. Is it possible to stop overthinking?

What does “overthinking” mean?

“Overthinking” is not just about thinking. The problem lies in the word “too.” Too many questions, too many sensitivities, too many thoughts, too many emotions, too much energy, too many activities, etc. You keep thinking, even at night.

When you start doing something, like searching on Google, you also get caught up in other things. So, you no longer know what you are generally looking for. You activate all five of your senses at the same moment.

Why do I overthink?

We have all experienced unpleasant situations, moments of stress and anxiety where our brain becomes uncontrollable. In moments of uncertainty, anxiety serves as a signal of an inner and unknown danger.

Thus, this uncertainty finds its springs in an overflowing imagination, which it feeds on to develop increasingly anxiety-inducing scenarios. Therefore, whenever we go through an emotional moment, we overthink. It is well known that any unforeseen and new situation, thus anxiety-inducing, is a pretext for rumination.

We must understand that the human condition is itself anxiety-inducing. Because, if we do not have fears regarding our worth, it will be impossible for us to seek improvement and progress.

Why does overthinking make one manipulable?

“I think too much,” “I reflect too much.” Sometimes, these are phrases that come out of us. We must know that the more we display a degree of intelligence, the more we can be manipulated. An intelligent person will always seek to assert themselves in their space. This person will try to capture the viewpoints of everyone around them. However, the manipulator will use lies, distort reality to deliberately create conflicts from which they benefit.

It can be said that the manipulator essentially exploits the human values of their victim. An intelligent person is always driven by a curiosity that leads them to seek understanding, to try to integrate the viewpoints of others, to think all the time in order to find a solution to the posed problem.

Thus, they are individuals who refuse discouragement. This is not the case for the manipulator who lies, denies reality, and consciously creates conflicts for their own benefit. They tie you up in your humanistic values while diverting them for their profit.

The manipulator will use several techniques, such as seducing you, intimidating you, to make you overthink and subsequently make you feel guilty. It is therefore important to trigger a self-awareness in the face of a manipulator in order not to endure such mistreatment.

How to manage incessant thoughts?

If “overthinking” and “over-reflecting” are sometimes perceived as signs of intelligence, it is good to know that such actions are not necessarily good things. Because thinking all the time can also lead us to negative emotions. Overthinking is like a great power.

Therefore, we must be able to channel it so that it does not take over. What are these different thoughts? When too many negative thoughts occupy our minds, it can have negative effects on our mood and mental state.

However, if this overwhelming mental state is well managed, it can be very powerful and help us achieve great things. Thinking all the time is generally a normal situation for a conscious person. What matters is being able to manage it.

We must be able to become masters of ourselves. Being able to manage our emotions is one of the essential elements of personal development. Thus, we must have control over our mind as well as our body. It is about being capable of taming the mind to better direct one’s thoughts.

Overthinking can become a problem

“My brain thinks too much,” “I reflect too much.” What do you do to avoid this? When we overthink, we expose ourselves to a permanent disturbance. These incessant thoughts infiltrate and always disturb us. Immersed in these excessive thoughts, we are able to forget other things and no longer pay attention to everything happening around us.

Since overthinking demands a certain mental energy, it will have a high calorie consumption at the level of our brain, and this could be dramatic for us. Over-reflecting can lead us to have difficulties concentrating and prevent us from moving forward in achieving our personal goals.

This is particularly critical when these thoughts are negative. Because it could turn into a real vicious circle. Fortunately, the brain we possess, which is the engine of all our acts and actions, is a muscle. We therefore have the possibility to train it so that it can react in good ways.

How to stop overthinking?

How to stop overthinking? is a question that everyone has asked or is asking in their life. We must know that we are different from one another. This means that we cannot use the same amount of time to solve a problem or a situation.

But what is important is that we manage to act and progress on what is a problem to turn it into an asset. Stopping thinking is not possible. Because there is no miracle remedy or “stop” button that can make us stop thinking. However, it is possible to think better. To stop overthinking, here are some tips that should help you:

1. Accept your way of thinking

You think too much. This becomes worrying for you. However, it could be an important element to let your creativity speak in various situations. You may be able to find innovative solutions.

Know that everyone has their own way of thinking. So stop harshly criticizing yours. Understand that one idea can generate another. And so on. Then, you will succeed in better managing these ideas or thoughts without constantly complaining about your “overload.”

2. Find anchors that soothe you

What is an anchor? Know that an anchor ensures the association of an external stimulus with an internal state. It is thus an effective technique to regain a certain control over your mind. What do you like?

An image of a space you love or a photo of a lovely person can provide you with soothing comfort. Some melodies from a favorite song can calm you down, etc. When everything is going well, you have the possibility to return to a more serene state using your personal anchors.

3. Write down your thoughts

You tell yourself, “I think too much.” And, it is often impossible for you to find yourself in these numerous reflections. Write them down. Free up part of your mind from these various thoughts by listing or noting them in your diary. By doing so, you will see more clearly and be able to move forward. This can also help you not to overthink.

4. Use mind maps

Using mind maps can also help you organize your thoughts. By using mind mapping, you can better visualize your ideas while connecting them to each other based on certain criteria of coherence or logic. You can then say goodbye to confusion and experience moments of not overthinking.

5. Stop the proliferation of doubts

If your mental overload causes the proliferation of worries and doubts, the solution available to you is to bring your mental drift back to facts. Then, you can avoid your tendency to exaggerate. It will be important to distinguish between observable facts and the creations of your boiling mind.

6. De-dramatize instead of creating catastrophic scenarios

It is true that you may be more sensitive than others in certain situations. Living intensely in the smallest details the emotions generated by your thoughts, it is difficult for you to react. You must learn to de-dramatize your thoughts by telling yourself phrases out loud. Phrases that can help you stop the spiral that begins in your mind. Here are some phrases you can tell your mind: “It’s not that serious” or “It’s just a thought,” etc.