There is thinking, and then there is overthinking. Thinking itself is not a problem. Every person on this planet has countless thoughts every day. I’m not an expert, but I believe thinking is how we process the things that happen in our lives. Normal thinking doesn’t affect your mental health in a negative way. Your thoughts come and go, and you can move on easily. It usually feels neutral or even productive. Overthinking, however, does affect your mental health—and even your overall well-being. It can feel overwhelming, repetitive, and hard to control. Do you want to know if you might be an overthinker? Here are some common signs of overthinking.
The Signs of Overthinking
- Constantly looping the same thoughts
With normal thinking, you have a thought and then move on. But with overthinking, you hold on to a thought and focus on it for a long time. Unfortunately for me, I am an overthinker (though I’m working on it), so I can give many examples. Let’s say I want to make plans for the weekend. A person who doesn’t overthink would think about what they want to do and then make a decision. As an overthinker, I look at it from every possible angle—and not just for a few hours. I can think about it for days. - Overanalyzing
Let’s say you did something awkward or made a mistake. It happens to everyone, but overthinkers tend to replay that moment for a long time. You think about how you could have avoided the situation and what exactly went wrong. You go over it again and again, reliving the same moment. - Difficulty making decisions
Because you overthink and overanalyze, it becomes harder to make decisions—even simple ones, like what to eat for dinner. Overthinking can feel paralyzing. You might constantly worry about making the wrong choice, which makes it even harder to decide.
Trouble focusing
When you are an overthinker, you spend a lot of time in your head. You analyze almost every minute of your day—your past, present, and even your future. Because of that, it can be hard to stay focused on the things you need to do. Your brain is already too busy overanalyzing everything. - Anxiety and stress
A normal thinker might think about something, make a decision, and then move on. This doesn’t take much mental energy. But an overthinker will think about something, maybe make a decision, then doubt it, analyze it again, make a different decision, and repeat the cycle. Your brain is constantly “on,” which can lead to anxiety and stress. - Fatigue
Because your brain is always active, you may feel more tired. Some people even experience burnout from overthinking. It can make it harder to get through the day, and you might even wake up feeling exhausted. - Trouble falling asleep
When your brain is constantly active, it becomes harder to fall asleep. You want to sleep, but your mind won’t slow down. Practices like mindfulness and meditation can help. From my own experience, reading is also a great way to calm your mind and fall asleep. - Tension in the body
The stress and anxiety caused by overthinking can also show up physically. You might experience muscle tension in your neck, shoulders, or jaw. It can even lead to tension headaches.
What If You Are An Overthinker?
If you realize you are an overthinker, it’s time to take action. Mindfulness and meditation can be very helpful in becoming aware of your thought patterns, which makes it easier to interrupt them. It takes time to reshape your brain, so don’t give up after just one week of practicing. And when you have to make a decision, make it, and then try to let it go. Don’t overanalyze your choice. Just move on with your day.
Photo by Sinitta Leunen on Unsplash