Big emotions can become a norm when you find yourself living in toxicity, not being healed from traumatic events, or being required to show up and perform in a fast-paced environment. Wouldn’t it all be so simple if there was a button that could slow things down a bit? Taking a note from nature, we are able to see how most things grow at a slow and steady pace. And when conditions pick up speed, it normally results in chaos.
The concept of overreacting is found in an emotional response that doesn’t align with the issue at hand. Usually, the emotion is considered much bigger than the situation requires. But when one looks a bit deeper within, they can find that emotional response is closely linked to overthinking and both of them lead to being overwhelmed.
Overthinking is the act of coming to a conclusion and continuing to ruminate on the issue. It can also be seen in not knowing the decision to make but catastrophizing versus strategizing or simply waiting for the answer to be revealed. Overthinking is the result of a few things including fear of making the wrong choice (usually based on previous decisions), fear of disappointment, or fear based on vicarious trauma (events experienced by those around you, close to you, in the same environment, or even in media). Do you see the pattern here? Fear-based thinking causes one to overthink; it creates psychological and emotional buildup and keeps the individual stuck in the middle of the issue or opportunity and prolongs arriving to the destination.
Again, overreacting and overthinking can lead to becoming overwhelmed. The idea of being overwhelmed is taking in more than you have the capacity to handle mentally and emotionally. Most wouldn’t experience being overwhelmed if overreacting and overthinking were null and void. Overthinking creates those big emotions associated with what we know as overreacting and when experienced the mind goes into system overload. This not only impacts behavior and relationships it can also impact the body and daily living overall.
Knowing the link between these three relatives can better support you in not overdoing it and can profoundly change daily life.
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Based on the article, set aside at least 10 minutes to consider the following:
Assess where you tend to overreact or become overwhelmed. Does it show up in your self-perception, relationships, work-life, or finances?
Once you discover the areas where you tend to overreact or become overwhelmed, consider the root cause of the response. Are there hidden fears or previous experiences that may need to be resolved?
Next, seek healthy resolve to those fears which may come in the form of closure or forgiveness and healthy ways to go beyond previous events. What thoughts and behaviors are associated with the new way you’d like to experience daily living?
Be sure to journal your experience.
This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment
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