Have you ever tried counting stars in the sky? How many did you find? Most of us tried counting stars but got confused and tired. Have you ever counted how many thoughts we have every day? How many thoughts do you believe are useful? The number of thoughts we have per day varies depending on the person. Some people may have as few as 2,000 thoughts per day, while others may have as many as 80,000. The average person has about 6,000 thoughts per day.
Our thoughts can be about anything, from what we’re going to eat for lunch to what we’re going to do next. They can be positive, negative, or neutral. They can be about the past, the present, or the future. These thoughts are actually the outcome of thinking.
Thinking
Thinking is the process of using our minds to make sense of the world around us. It involves using our memories, experiences, and understanding to solve problems, make decisions, and plan for the future.
For example, when you are trying to understand a new concept, you are using your thinking skills. You might read about the concept, talk to someone who knows about it, or try to connect it with your previous experiences.
When you are trying to solve a conflict, you are using your thinking skills. You might try to see things from the other person’s perspective, compromise, or find a solution.
The way we think about things affects how we feel about them, and it in turn affects how we behave.
Thinking vs Overthinking
Our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are all interconnected. When one changes, the others are affected. This can create a loop of overthinking. To deal with the consequences of overthinking, it is crucial to understand the distinction between thinking and overthinking.
Imagine if your friend suddenly stopped talking to you. How much time do you think about that incident? One hour, one day or one month? Is it helping you solve your problem or creating more problems for you?
Thinking helps you in decision-making and gives you clarity about the problem. Overthinking, on the other hand, is a pattern of thinking that is excessive, repetitive, and often negative or irrational.
Consider the situation where you are preparing for an upcoming test.
When you are thinking: you may think about reviewing your notes, making a study guide, and practicing previous questions. You may feel confident about your level of preparation.
When you are overthinking: you may start worrying about how you will perform in the test. You might think repeatedly about all the things you don’t know and all the ways you could fail, causing anxiety and loss of focus.
If you relate more to overthinking, let us understand the possible reasons behind it.
What makes you overthink?
Suppose you are in class and suddenly get a random thought. When you keep focusing on it, more thoughts keep coming and it starts spiraling, affecting your concentration. Have you experienced this before?
There could be many reasons for overthinking.
When you feel a lack of control in certain areas of life, overthinking can become a way to regain a sense of control through excessive analysis.
For example, while preparing for a major exam, even after studying diligently, you may still feel uncertain about the outcome. As the exam approaches, you may begin overanalyzing every possible question, predicting scenarios, and second-guessing your preparation.
Perfectionism can also lead to overthinking because you become fixated on making perfect decisions and taking flawless actions. Fear of failure, unresolved conflicts, distressing experiences, boredom, and inactivity can also contribute to overthinking.
Impact of Overthinking
- Feeling anxious: Overthinking can lead to anxiety and inaction. Focusing repeatedly on negative and uncertain possibilities can make you feel mentally exhausted.
- Quality of sleep: Overthinking can disrupt your sleep schedule. Staying awake trying to find answers or solutions may reduce sleep quality and increase stress further.
- Relationships get affected: Overthinking can make communication difficult. You may hesitate to express yourself, constantly criticize yourself, or worry too much about what others think.
- Confusion: Thinking excessively about one issue can become overwhelming and unproductive, leaving you feeling confused and mentally stuck.
Ways to Manage Overthinking
In a world filled with endless distractions and constant mental chatter, it’s easy to get trapped in overthinking. But there are practical ways to regain control over your thoughts.
- Minimization: Sometimes we exaggerate situations in our minds. A small issue may start feeling much bigger than it actually is. Pause, take a deep breath, and ask yourself whether your thoughts are supported by evidence.
- Break the chain: When your thoughts start repeating, write them down on paper. Then ask yourself: Is this thought true or false? If it is true, is thinking about it useful? If yes, what can I do about it?
- Focus on controllable factors: Write down what is worrying you and divide it into two parts — things you can control and things you cannot. This helps shift your attention toward actionable steps.
- Mindfulness: Mindfulness means being fully present in the moment. Whether you are studying, walking, or playing sports, focus completely on what you are doing instead of getting lost in unnecessary thoughts.
Imagine you are studying for an exam and thoughts like “I’m going to fail” or “I’ll never understand this” begin to flood your mind.
One helpful technique is thought labeling. Notice the thought and mentally label it, such as “This is a negative thought” or “This is self-doubt.” This helps create distance between you and your thoughts, preventing overthinking from taking over.
As a student, you may experience worries about grades, comparisons, or academic pressure. By identifying these thought patterns, you can better understand what triggers your overthinking.
Conclusion
Thoughts come and go like passing clouds. By observing them carefully, we can evaluate whether they are useful, rational, and healthy. This helps us think more objectively, challenge negative thinking patterns, and make better decisions.
When we learn to manage overthinking, we gain clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.
“Similar to how we refine water by preserving essential minerals, we can refine our thoughts by directing our focus on thoughts that nurture our growth and well-being.”
Sruthi Punna
Development Coach