Understanding the Overthinking Mind
Ever found yourself lying in bed at night, worrying about lots of different things?
Wondering if that one awkward conversation meant something?
Or overanalysing whether your last WhatsApp message sounded too blunt?
If so – congratulations! You are a fully functional human being. Your overthinking membership card is in the post!
What causes overthinking?
Overthinking, worrying, and anxiety are part of the human experience. Our brains are wired to think, plan, analyse, and anticipate – a survival instinct inherited from our ancestors who had to predict real dangers (“Will this berry kill me?” or “Is that rustling in the bushes a tiger?”).
The problem? The modern world doesn’t have as many tigers – but our brains still have this threat part on alert. Instead of worrying about actual survival, we now get stuck in loops of overthinking about work, relationships, emails, texts, decisions, social situations, and basically everything. Our romantic relationships may also begin to be affected leading people to develop relationship anxiety and increasingly seek out couples therapy.
And while worrying feels productive, it rarely solves anything. Instead, it drains our energy, keeps us stuck, and makes problems seem bigger than they actually are.
The Overthinking Series – learn why we do it and how we can stop overthinking
Over the next few weeks, we’ll explore the following key ares:
- Why our brains love to worry (even when we don’t)
- What anxiety actually is (and what it isn’t)
- How to stop overthinking from running the show
- Practical CBT tools to quiet your mind
- How mindfulness can help break the worry cycle
So, take a deep breath. You’re not broken, you’re not alone, and – best of all – this isn’t permanent. Stay tuned for our next article where we delve into why our brains automatically worry. If you find yourself worrying often or are noticing an increase in your worry, then CBT therapy may be helpful for you. You can explore our CBT therapy services on our website or send us a message.
