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The Problem With Overthinking

  • Writer: Patricia Faust
    Patricia Faust
  • Apr 16, 2020
  • 2 min read

We normally think that we are generating all of the thoughts and actions that our brains make and take. But that is far from the truth. Our brains are on autopilot for everything important. Our brains are hardwired to protect us from threats and keep us alive. So when our brain detects a threat it goes into fight-or-flight response. There are a lot of physiological actions that take place (extra blood flow to muscles, sugars and fats pumped into blood stream, digestion shuts down, immune system pumps out inflammatory chemicals) – all done to save our life. And, we are not aware that any of these chemical changes are even occurring. When we are constantly thinking or worrying about events that haven’t happened we are triggering the fight-or-flight response over and over. This causes a lot of wear and tear on your brain – known as allostatic load. This state of being accelerates aging and chronic illnesses. And it damages our brain cells. When we are overthinking or worrying about future events we are damaging our body and our brain.

Overthinking is a problem or situation that can leave your head spinning – and usually no answers are found. It is a problem in itself because it can paralyze us from taking action. There are two perspectives on overthinking that can play havoc with our minds.

  1. Overthinking happens when you get caught in a loop of thinking of one event over and over.

  2. Overthinking decisions – analyzing them to the point where you can’t make a decision anymore – analysis paralysis.


Take Action

The goal of these situations is to get out of the overthinking loop and move forward.

How does that happen?

  • Take action now – instead of overthinking an idea, you can actually do something about it

  • Direct your attention elsewhere – sometimes you can’t take action, so to stop overthinking, distract your mind

  • Stop talking about it – in seeking the advice of other people, we get information overload and it becomes impossible not to overthink it; limit information and look at it more productively

  • Figure out why you are overthinking – Psychology Today notes that even though our brains are often hard-wired to overthink – we can move the process along.

Here’s a four step plan to moving on:

  1. Re-label the ideas you are overthinking (self-doubt, anxiety, etc.)

  2. Reframe your experience and identify your thinking errors

  3. Refocus your attention on the part that matters

  4. Revalue your brain messages with the new information then take a step back and look at why you were overthinking, close the loop, and move on. Minimize the thought, make them productive and move on.


How to Stop Overthinking Everything and Find Peace of Mind by T. Klosowski

References:

Bates, S.M. (December 13, 2014). How to stop overthinking and brain clutter. Retrieved July 31, 2018 from https://hellogiggles.com/lifestyle/chronic-over-thinking/

Klosowski, T. (July 24, 2014). How to stop overthinking everything and find peace of mind? Retrieved December 17, 2015 from http://lifehacker.com/how-to-stop-overthinking-everything-and-find-peace-of-m-1609850688

 
 
 

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March was an unusual month for me.  Normally I work on articles, give presentations and generally just stay tuned to what is going on in the field of aging.  This month I “learned” a lot.  Last year I learned how to write a book.  At the time I took the course I thought it would just be a natural extension of all the writing I had done over the years.  WRONG!!  The actual writing of the book was the easy part.  Putting it together into a book was difficult for me.  The course gave me step by step lessons on constructing a book.  Then editing and formatting were just as challenging.  On June 7 last year the book was published!  It was one of the most satisfying days of my writing career. 

Naturally, when you self-publish, you do not have a publisher promoting the book and getting it in the right categories for best sales on Amazon.  That was crushing because I really didn’t know to appropriately market it.  I am a brain health person!  In December of last year, I purchased a marketing program that is based on statistics.  I am technical minded and so this approach made sense to me.  The course is almost completed.  Can’t wait to see if it improves sales!

The next step I am looking at is recording an audiobook.  This is another venture I knew nothing about.  But I am already tagged on Facebook for marketing of audio book programs.  Facebook picks up everything.  Now my husband was creative director for an advertising agency and when I told him I purchased another class – he couldn’t believe it.  “This was my business.  I know how to do recordings, why didn’t you ask me?” Well, I knew he was an expert in that business, but this audiobook needs to meet all the criteria that Amazon requires for publication.  So, he can take care of the recording part of this audiobook, and I will navigate the process of meeting Amazon’s requirements.  We worked on the book together like this. 

Then I talked with some coaching experts on the viability of starting group teaching programs.  Reading The Boomer Brain book and implementing the Brain Healthy Lifestyle have two entirely different outcomes.  This lifestyle is important to maintaining high cognitive function throughout the later years of our lives.  Look for updates as to when I will roll this program out.

My last learning endeavor was attending a two-day bootcamp for Speakers.  I am really excited about what I learned there.  That is a late this year or next year project, but it is one I am really looking forward to.

 

What Is Happening in April?

The American Society on Aging is having their annual conference in Orlando Florida April 21-24.  This is the largest multidisciplinary conference on aging and the annual conference for Members of ASA.  I have attended a number of these conferences throughout the years, and it is consequential.  Keynote speakers and special events are focused on combating ageism in our society.  Although this is a professional meeting, the attendees come from all aspects of aging services.  They have their work cut out for them this year!

April is Stress Awareness Month.  We should be aware of stress every month and understand how we can break the stress cycle.  These are stressful times, and we need to protect ourselves

Here is a positive one “April is National Volunteer Month”.  When I am working with new retirees who don’t know what to do, I talk to them about volunteering. It is important to have a purpose after you leave the workforce.  There are so many nonprofits who need help in all aspects of their organizations.  It is a perfect way to give back.

Finally – It was Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds – the oldest major league team in the nation.  Cincinnati takes that responsibility seriously.  There is always an Opening Day Parade through downtown to the Ball Park.  Huge crowds line the streets and every year there is talk of making it an official holiday.  Schools and employers look the other way when there is an empty desk.  No matter what the outcome of the game is, there is so much joy, and you can feel that energy.  I am fortunate that I get to experience that.  We all need some joy right now. 

Enjoy your April.

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