Overthinking and failed relationships

“Believe me when I say many relationships have ended due to overthinking”. Your partner sends you a harmless message, and you interpret it negatively because you're an overthinker 

So sad, right?

 Today, when your friend, who usually greets you, didn't, you assume they're being proud. But have you considered that they might be preoccupied with their own issues and didn't have the mental space to say hello? 

Have you tried reaching out to your friend before jumping to conclusions?

We are so quick to label someone an enemy, when most of the time, we are in fact our own enemy 

While thinking and reflection are essential, overthinking can be harmful. It's crucial to strike a balance between thinking and action. 

Everyone overthinks - we ponder what to wear, what to eat, and how to make decisions, among other things. 

   The numerous choices and decisions can cloud our minds. However, if left unchecked, overthinking can have negative consequences.

Overthinking is excessive, uncontrollable, and intrusive thinking that can lead to emotional overwhelm, mental fatigue, and impaired daily functioning. 

  It's a common experience that affects a significant majority of people, with women more prone to overthinking than men .

73% of people engage in overthinking, with 57% being women and 43% men. 

   Only 10-15% of people don't overthink, although they might have moments where they do.

When we overthink, various thoughts flood our minds, which can be both negative and positive.

   Most times, people experience more negative thoughts than positive ones, known as negativity bias. Negativity bias is the tendency for humans to give more attention, weight, and importance to negative experiences, thoughts, and emotions than positive ones. Recognizing and addressing negativity bias can help you cultivate a more balanced and positive mindset.

Signs you're an overthinker include:

-You find it difficult making decisions ,you spend too much time making a decision

-Ruminating on past mistakes, you can't stop thinking about past errors. Your mind is constantly racing with thoughts, making it hard to relax or focus.

- You constantly worry about what might happen next

-You replay conversations in your head, rethinking what you said or should not have said.

-You overthink about potential opportunities or experiences you might miss.

-Perfectionist; You set unrealistically high standards and overthink how to achieve them

Overthinking can lead to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and stress, unbalanced thinking, and strained relationships. To curb overthinking, try:

-Always focus on the present moment, without judgement. This prevents you from being easily carried away.

- Journaling: Write down your thoughts and feelings to process and release them.

- Self-compassion: Practice kindness and understanding towards yourself. Many times, when I start overthinking, I tell myself, 'You're not perfect, no one is.' 'You can't go back in time to change what has happened.' 'It's not your fault, move on.' I finally forgive myself or the person and let go of whatever it is.

- Deep breathing exercises: Take slow, deliberate breaths to calm down your nervous system.

- Physical exercise: Engage in regular activity to reduce anxiety and improve your mood.

- Get enough sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of restful sleep per night.

- Healthy eating habits: Fuel your body with a balanced diet.

- Engage in enjoyable hobbies to distract yourself from anxious thoughts.

- Spend time in nature to reduce stress and improve your mood.

- Visualization: Imagine a peaceful, safe space to calm your mind.

- Listen to calming music: Soothing sounds can reduce anxiety.

- Seek professional help: Consult a mental health expert for personalized guidance."

Remember, everyone is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another.Try different techniques to find what works best for you.