Are you stuck in the vicious circle of overthinking? It's risky, an expert warns (2024)

Overthinking is a major threat to your overall health, both mentally and physically. In fact, thinking too much can bring up these six problems.

Do you ever feel like your thoughts are taking over your life? Or that you think deeply and repeatedly way too much? If so, then you are currently experiencing a pattern of overthinking. Overthinking is common and people with stress usually experience this condition. It involves having negative thoughts, dwelling on the past and worrying about the future.

Overthinking can easily become a daily habit if you don't take steps to control it. And this habit not only affects your emotional health, but can also jeopardize your mental and physical health.

Are you stuck in the vicious circle of overthinking? It's risky, an expert warns (1)

Dr. Narayan Gadkar, Cardiologist, Zen Multispeciality Hospital, spoke to HealthShots about the impact ofabout analyzingon general health.

According to Dr. Gadkar, suggests that overthinking gives rise to these six health problems:

1. Overthinking leads to high blood pressure

If you think about it constantly, it will steal your peace of mind. It can cause stress that can further increase your blood pressure and predispose you to heart problems such as stroke or heart attack. High stress means high cholesterol, and you may also develop unhealthy habits, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, that can wreak havoc on your overall well-being.

2. Overthinking can cause sleep problems

Are you doing your best, but your endless thoughts are keeping you awake? Well, having trouble sleeping is one of the known consequences of overthinking. So if you are an overthinker, you will not be able to sleep well at night. And you'll feel dizzy, cranky, and tired the next morning. This makes it difficult for you to concentrate on your work, reduces productivity and causes you to overeat by gaining a lot of weight.

3. Overthinking will suppress your appetite

Even a short period of overthinking can lead to loss of appetite. It keeps your brain busy and does not let the signal through to the brain that you are hungry or that it is time to eat. Dr. Gadkar says, "If you are stressed because you are thinking too much, don't eat or eat too much. Both habits are harmful to your health."

Are you stuck in the vicious circle of overthinking? It's risky, an expert warns (3)

4. Overthinking will affect the brain

Overthinking changes the brain's structure and connectivity, leading to mood disordersMental illnesssuch as anxiety, stress and depression. Additionally, it can reduce your energy to focus and affect your problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

5. It affects the digestive system

Stress due to overthinking can negatively impact your digestion because it reduces the amount of blood flow and oxygen to the stomach. Stress due to overthinking results in gastrointestinal problems such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or even irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

6. It weakens the immune system

When you are stressed, the hormone cortisol is released into the body, which in turn weakens the immune system and puts you at greater risk for allergies, infections and diseases.

Avoid getting stuck in a vicious cycle of overthinking and use these 7 tips to move forward:

You may think it's out of your control, but there are some tips that, if followed regularly, can help you stop overthinking. There they are:

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1. Distract yourself: If you find yourself thinking too much, stop and take up a hobby or try doing something else to distract yourself from worrisome thoughts.

2. Listen to music: Listen to your favorite music to distract your mind from negative thoughts.

Are you stuck in the vicious circle of overthinking? It's risky, an expert warns (4)

3. Write it down: Keep a journal and write down what you think.

4. Share your concerns: If you are someone with whom you can share your fears and concerns, share them. This will lighten your burden.

5. Let go of the past: If the reason for your overthinking is thinking about your past, let it go. Whatever the case, accept it and move on.

6. Breathing exercises: Exercisebreathing exercisesreducing stress levels and ending overthinking is the best solution. You can also meditate.

7. Stay in the present: Leave your past and live in the present. Plus, don't get stuck in your past, present or future. Enjoy your present moments.

Last but not least: don't be hard on yourself. Set time for reflection. This will help you limit the amount of time you spend overthinking.

Are you stuck in the vicious circle of overthinking? It's risky, an expert warns (2024)
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