Too Many Thoughts: What Can We Do About Overthinking?
Morrissey, the British musician, spoke for millions of us when, in his song Our Frank he sang: "Won't somebody stop me from thinking, from thinking all the time, about everything…"
Research has suggested that at least 50% of people are chronic overthinkers, and that number may be as high as 73% among younger adults.
If you're one of those people, you may feel — like Morrissey — that you could sometimes do with a break from all those thoughts.
Overthinking is not only considering something deeply. According to Cambridge Dictionary, it refers to "thinking about something too much, in a way that is not useful."
Philosopher Alan Watts said it's even more serious than that.
"Just as you have to stop talking to hear what others have to say, you have to stop thinking to find out what life is about," he once said.
Of course, that's easier said than done. So what can we do to stop overthinking?
One common suggestion is writing down your thoughts.
Social media influencer Josh Otusanya shared this idea on TikTok, saying it helps his brain let go of some of those thoughts, and also makes him realize that some of his worries are not that important after all.
Having your thoughts written down could also help you to find ways to solve a problem or answer a question.
US health website Healthline suggests making an action plan, perhaps for one of the things you've written down.
However, you may not always be able to work through your thoughts. And according to many experts, finding a distraction — such as by doing an activity you enjoy or learning a new skill — can help.
This might help you forget some things, and even if you don't, you get an opportunity to relax and recharge.
But if you feel you really can't find a way to deal with overthinking, Healthline says you should try speaking to an expert.
