Are you an overthinker? Doc reveals how it can land you in an ER |
Are you one of those people who cannot stop overthinking? A problem, a passing thought, or even a harmless ‘what if’ enters your mind — and before you know, you are thinking about the infinite numbers of possibilities, reasons, causes, and solutions. In pressing situations, this could mean your heart racing, tightness around your chest, and fear taking over. You might assume overthinking is simply normal, and it could consume your mind for a moment, but the reality is far from that. Dr Jubair Ahmed, a lifestyle and preventive medicine Ayurvedic doctor, explained about the physical toll of overthinking. In a video shared on Instagram, he explained how overthinking could even land you in an emergency room.
What is overthinking?
Overthinking is defined as the action of using one’s mind to think too much about something, or putting too much time into thinking about or analyzing something. Overthinking most likely happens when a person is trying to control the future or constantly thinking about negative situations. It isn’t really a beneficial mental habit.
How does overthinking affect your body?
According to Dr Ahmed, overthinking can silently lead to panic attacks. In a video, the doctor spoke about how ‘overthinking turned into palpitations, and thoughts turned into fear.’ “This is how panic attacks begin – silently,” he said. Overthinking not only affects your mind, but it also impacts your body. “It slowly affects the body. When thoughts don’t stop, the brain thinks something is wrong. It switches on fight-or-flight mode,” Dr Ahmed said.
What’s next?
When the fight-or-flight response in your body kicks in, it causes: • stress hormones to increase• heart to beat fast (palpitations)• breathing to become shallow• muscles to tighten• body to feel strange or uncomfortable“When the brain gets confused. It thinks these body changes are dangerous. Fear starts. Fear increases the symptoms. And a panic attack begins — suddenly,” he explained. Some of the common triggers that people often overlook The expert pointed out that several everyday factors can quietly increase the risk of panic attacks. These include: • Poor sleep• Too much tea/coffee or energy drinks• Skipping meals• Low nutrients• Long-term stress or emotions
What actually helps?
How to prevent overthinking and running the risk of panic attacks? The doctor has shared some tips that may help you reduce overthinking. These include: • Proper sleep• Less caffeine• Slow, deep breathing• Calming the mind• Breaking fear thoughts• Medical checkup when neededThe Ayurvedic doctor also shared some ancient tips that may help in these situations. They are• Fixed daily routine• Warm, regular meals• Oil massage to relax nerves• Gentle breathing practices• Medicines only after consultationHe also stressed that panic attacks are real, common, and treatable. “You are not weak,” he said. So the next time you overthink, try to tone down a bit, or find your own distraction, because this seemingly harmless act can not only affect your mind, but also your body.Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment, or before changing your diet or supplement regimen.
