WHY OVERTHINKING IS THE BRAIN’S FAVOURITE (AND MoST USELESS) HOBBY
Let’s be honest – we’ve all done it. That endless loop of analysing every situation, every conversation, every possible outcome… and somehow still ending up nowhere new.
Analysis. It’s a wonderful pastime – and one that, to be clear, achieves nothing.
Why We Do It
The truth is: the brain craves certainty. It thinks that if it keeps thinking, it’ll stay one step ahead of disaster. So it runs the same mental loops over and over – scanning for problems, trying to find solutions, and exhausting itself in the process.
But here’s the thing: it never ends. There are always more thoughts to think, more “what ifs” to solve, more rabbit holes to tumble down.
And if you want the neuroscience behind why this is a problem, here it is…
Every Thought = Chemistry
Every time you think a thought, you trigger the chemistry of that thought. Think about a difficult time in your life, and you’ll start to feel the stress or sadness you felt then. Think about someone you love, and you’ll feel that warm, fuzzy glow.
So when you analyse endlessly, you’re essentially re-triggering that same “problem chemistry” – time and time again.
That’s why you may find that the lovely Dr Google (and, even Dr ChatGPT now) can often leave you feeling worse. Despite wanting to feel more empowered by understanding the problem and equipping yourself to find a solution, instead, every new theory or label you uncover just reinforces the same neural loop – the mental equivalent of doing bicep curls for your anxiety.
The Science Bit
Your brain is brilliant at recognising patterns. The more you think or feel something, the more your brain learns that this particular chemical mix is important. Nerves that fire together, wire together.
So if you keep analysing, your brain starts to believe that overthinking = survival. And soon, you’re living from that state on autopilot – like driving to the shops and not remembering how you got there. Except instead of being safely parked, you’re looping through self-doubt and stress as your emotional default.
Point taken?
Hopefully I have laboured the point sufficiently. Because you gotta ditch it. Ditch the analysis and ditch it fast.
The next question is, ‘What’s the answer?’ Well, it’s time so say goodbye to your old pal Sherlock and start giving your brain reasons to trust.
The reality is that nothing in life is certain, but the most powerful source of certainty any human can find, resides within. YOU become your source of certainty and trust.
So whilst life could very well be going to sh*t around you, when you become your own source of certainty, everything changes. You stop needing the world to behave a certain way in order to feel safe.
Ask yourself the question, knowing myself as I do, how have I shown up for myself today? What would it be like, if you could almost see yourself as your own best friend, right there by your side, cheering you on, each and every day?
Consider times when you have delivered. Consider times when you haven’t, but it still all worked out okay. The evidence is all there, you just gotta help your brain to find it.
Want to Rewire This Pattern?
Well, it’s your lucky day because that’s exactly what you get with Lauren Stoney’s Brain Reset – the equivalent of a mental strength training session for your brain. You will learn the science behind why your brain does what it does, and then rewire it to do something better. You’ll open up new neural pathways that make calm, clarity, and confidence your default, not the exception.
You don’t have to overthink your way to peace of mind. You just have to train your brain differently.
Join Lauren’s next Brain Reset session at PLATF9RM and give your mind the upgrade it’s been begging for.
https://www.laurenstoney.co.uk/your-45-minute-brain-reset-with-lauren
