There are many ways to get rid of overthinking; anxiety and overthinking are part of the problems that we may face at some point in our lives, and can negatively affect your mental and psychological health, according to a study conducted in 2013. In the following lines, we will mention the most important ways to get rid of overthinking.
Is overthinking a mental illness?
When exposed to various pressures and life problems, a person may resort to overthinking, which affects the psychological state and increases anxiety and tension. The question here is whether overthinking is a mental illness, and can it lead to depression.
Overthinking may lead to the generation of automatic negative thoughts, which usually include fear or anger, which makes your reaction to some situations violent at times, which is a behavior different from your nature.
Many studies have shown that overthinking causes hyperactivity of the pituitary gland and adrenal gland, which affects the body's immunity, which in turn may cause exposure to some cancerous diseases.
The latest American studies have indicated that overthinking increases the chance of developing psychological illnesses that may reach the point of depression, in addition to the physical effects it may leave, including feeling tired, lethargic, and angry when exposed to pressures.
There are some cases in which overthinking causes psychological illness, because it makes them think negatively about things. As a result of overthinking, a person may suffer a lot of damage, whether psychological or physical. The most common damage caused by overthinking are the following:
1- Insomnia and inability to sleep peacefully.
2- Depression.
3- Cancerous tumors resulting from pituitary and adrenal gland problems.
4- Digestive system problems and affecting appetite.
5- Exposure to constant anxiety and stress and mood disorders.
6- Psychological and nervous stress that affects colon health or irritable bowel syndrome.
7- Overthinking affects brain cells, which may affect memory.
How to stop overthinking the future
Overthinking about the future causes a constant feeling of anxiety and tension, in addition to creating some negative thoughts, so most people who suffer from overthinking are looking for how to get rid of overthinking about the future.
Practicing some simple exercises and habits can rid you of overthinking, and the psychological, physical and mental damage that it can cause. Below we will provide some tips to get rid of overthinking, the most prominent of which are the following:
1- Breathing exercises:
When engaging in overthinking, you can resort to deep breathing exercises that help stop thinking. You should sit in a comfortable position, making sure to rest your neck and shoulders, and breathe slowly through your nose until your chest is full of air, hold your breath for a few moments and exhale through your mouth. You can repeat the exercise three times during the day.
2- Practice your favorite activities in your free time:
When you feel that overthinking is controlling you and you cannot get rid of it, you should occupy yourself with practicing any kind of activity that relieves you of thinking, such as drawing, writing, or practicing some kind of sport.
3- Thinking positively:
You can get rid of overthinking about the future by making future plans full of optimism; you can bring a pen and paper and write down the positives, and avoid the negatives, and even if the positives are simple, they help you improve your mood, and get rid of stress, anxiety and overthinking.
4- Making a decision:
Usually, overthinking results from the inability to make a decision, but when you can make the right decisions in different situations, you get rid of overthinking.
5- Meditation exercises:
Meditation exercises are a good way to help you clear your mind of crowded thoughts, as meditation exercises play a role in reducing psychological pressure, anxiety, tension and overthinking about various matters.