Why can't you just stop overthinking ? Here's why :
>>The science behind overthinking and how to stop it<<
>>The science behind overthinking and how to stop it<<
Imagine you are on a holiday.
Relaxing on top of a mountain. Sun is shinning bright. You are sipping a cup of coffee. Enjoying the beautiful day.
When suddenly your mind goes- what's going on at work, did I pay the bill, what about my future, why did I do this, why I did that.
Relaxing on top of a mountain. Sun is shinning bright. You are sipping a cup of coffee. Enjoying the beautiful day.
When suddenly your mind goes- what's going on at work, did I pay the bill, what about my future, why did I do this, why I did that.
And the moment of relaxation has quickly turned into a moment of tension.
But why does this happen ?
Why can't enjoy without having to worry constantly or think about future or work or children....
But why does this happen ?
Why can't enjoy without having to worry constantly or think about future or work or children....
As with everything the answer lies in your brain.
The image you saw in the first tweet is the scan of the brain that shows the 'default mode network' in your brain.
The activation of this network is what pulls you away from the present.
The image you saw in the first tweet is the scan of the brain that shows the 'default mode network' in your brain.
The activation of this network is what pulls you away from the present.
What is default mode network (DMN) ?
‣ The DMN is a set of brain regions that get activated when you are NOT focused on the outside world .
‣ It is also active when you are thinking about others, thinking about yourself, remembering the past, and planning for the future.
‣ The DMN is a set of brain regions that get activated when you are NOT focused on the outside world .
‣ It is also active when you are thinking about others, thinking about yourself, remembering the past, and planning for the future.
‣ Studies show that the default mode network becomes activated within a fraction of a second as soon as you finish a task.
‣ On the other hand the DMN is least active when you are focused on a task.
‣ On the other hand the DMN is least active when you are focused on a task.
To summarize :
• DMN is a network of brain regions.
• When you are focused on a task activity in DMN is low.
• When your mind is at rest activity in DMN rises which attributes to day dreaming, ruminating, over thinking, worrying , stressing
• DMN is a network of brain regions.
• When you are focused on a task activity in DMN is low.
• When your mind is at rest activity in DMN rises which attributes to day dreaming, ruminating, over thinking, worrying , stressing
Since now you understand where all your ruminating comes from. Lets talk about what you can do about it.
You cannot deactivate your DMN. But you can train your mind to reduce the activity in your DMN.
Here's how you start the training :
You cannot deactivate your DMN. But you can train your mind to reduce the activity in your DMN.
Here's how you start the training :
1. Pay Attention:
Your mind goes to the default mode when your mind starts wandering. Instead pay attention to the present moment- where you are, what you are doing, how's your environment, sights, sounds, smells.
Stay in the moment so that you don't drown in the default.
Your mind goes to the default mode when your mind starts wandering. Instead pay attention to the present moment- where you are, what you are doing, how's your environment, sights, sounds, smells.
Stay in the moment so that you don't drown in the default.
2. Create :
Draw, write, paint, sculpt do something. When you create something you get out of your default mode.
Thinking about something out of the box , creating something new are all ways to stop ruminating and crawling through your old neurological paths.
Draw, write, paint, sculpt do something. When you create something you get out of your default mode.
Thinking about something out of the box , creating something new are all ways to stop ruminating and crawling through your old neurological paths.
3. Exercise :
Without a doubt exercise is an answer to most of your problems. But studies have specifically shown that exercising in nature can help reduce the activity in your default mode network.
Even if you can't exercise go on a mindful walk or practice yoga.
Without a doubt exercise is an answer to most of your problems. But studies have specifically shown that exercising in nature can help reduce the activity in your default mode network.
Even if you can't exercise go on a mindful walk or practice yoga.
4. Journal :
Yes, get back to your dear diary.
Often these thoughts that you get are recurring and revolve around the same things. Getting to the root cause of these thoughts might help you to close the loop forever.
Yes, get back to your dear diary.
Often these thoughts that you get are recurring and revolve around the same things. Getting to the root cause of these thoughts might help you to close the loop forever.
5. Meditate:
You would have already heard that meditation helps reducing overthinking. And this is the science behind it... research has shown that meditators have lower DMN activity in their brains.
Which mean less ruminating, less over thinking, less worrying, more WINNING.
You would have already heard that meditation helps reducing overthinking. And this is the science behind it... research has shown that meditators have lower DMN activity in their brains.
Which mean less ruminating, less over thinking, less worrying, more WINNING.
I hope you get something out of this thread. If you do:
1. Follow me (@mindfightzen)
2. Retweet the 1st tweet below to share this thread
1. Follow me (@mindfightzen)
2. Retweet the 1st tweet below to share this thread
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