How many times do you think about unnecessary things a day? How often do you feel stuck in this cycle of not knowing when or how to draw the line? Thinking is a healthy activity that makes us humans prevail over other creatures, but how is it that doing a good thing could turn out to be bad?
While thinking is a healthy exercise that drives the human mind to invent and create, sometimes it could get under the unhealthy activity scope when done obsessively. And by this, we refer to those whose lives are deeply affected in a way or another due to this hard to control activities of the mind. So how could it be bad? Good? And how could you take advantage of it?
When Does It Get Excessive?
First of all, let's differentiate between thinking and overthinking. When you think about how your day is going, what dress to wear, how your loved ones are doing, what's your plan for tomorrow…etc, those are all things that fall within the normal frame of thinking. And therefore there is nothing to worry about as worrying about such things is normal and indicates your feelings of responsibility towards your life and those in it.
However, overthinking this behavior is excessively practiced to a point where it literally limits and interferes with the person's life. Big life decisions may be affected or even made based on thoughts that do not necessarily have a basis to be built on. And so the over-thinker starts fearing new things, normal life activities, work environment, school life and so much more.
In other words, what should be normal, in their mind, becomes abnormal and they can't help it. They often fuss over things that have already happened or yet to happen; future decisions. And this includes even small ones like something they have said or the way they are seen. The point is that they fear others' judgments so much that they become one and judge themselves harshly. Doing this, in the long run, will lead to issues like mental health problems, social anxiety, insomnia, and overall more losses than wins in life.
How Could It Be Good?
While it's usually perceived as a negative act or behavior, it's not impossible to flip the table around. Identifying the problem is the first step to treat it, and knowing you're an over-thinker for instance would give you the chance to know how this excessive energy of yours could be put into more prosperous ways.
When there is too much energy to handle, tone it down so that it doesn't destruct what's around. And that's how you should deal with overthinking too. Find activities where this habit could be of use and shove that extra energy there. This could be physical activity, an artistic one, venting through writing, singing, dancing, meditating or talking to someone who is willing to listen.
It's not shocking to us anymore how often comedians, the ones who make us laugh, are the ones who are often depressed. But instead of giving up on themselves, they do their best to do the hardest job and put this talent in this form of art. You too are no less capable than them and could use that trait to bring out the best of you through what's inside you.
Overthinking is often a symptom of so many disorders while not being a disorder itself. It's usually the cause of stress and anxiety. While it's a hard thing to deal with, there are ways to help make it better like cognitive therapy, and certain strategies that you could work out together with a counselor if you don't know how to start. The important thing is to realize that as long as you have the energy to think, you'll have the energy to heal too.
Written By - Dana Asnan
Edited By - Kashish Chadha
0 Comments