Are your thoughts causing you distress?
Have you ever been troubled by negative thoughts?
The more we try to suppress them, the stronger they often become. But with effort, we can steer our brains toward positive change. Let’s delve into the factors that lead us to become adults who overthink, and explore how we can harness our brain’s unique traits to bring about meaningful transformations in our lives.
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Are unnecessary thoughts troubling you?
Have you ever felt tormented by your own thoughts? Is it truly possible to control our thoughts at will? Have you ever tried to suppress a particular thought, only to find it popping up even more frequently?
I often find myself deeply lost in thought right before bedtime. Why is it that as soon as midnight rolls around, our emotions become richer and memories—both good and bad—start flooding back? As I wander through the labyrinth of my mind, reminiscing about the past, embarrassing moments often resurface to unsettle me.
Blunders I’ve made with friends, big and small mistakes at work… I know that dwelling on these useless thoughts doesn’t help me, so I try to cut them off and get ready for sleep. But thoughts aren’t so easily dismissed, are they? Many nights, I find myself wide awake with eyes wide open. I tell myself, “Enough thinking, it’s time to sleep,” and squeeze my eyes shut, but my thoughts just refuse to let me go.
Research like Daniel M. Wegner’s Ironic Process Theory and the paper Thought Suppression by Wenzlaff, R. M. & Wegner, D. M. in the Annual Review of Psychology show that trying to push away certain thoughts actually triggers a rebound effect—they come back even stronger. So, What can we do? That’s just how our brains work. Haha!
So, What About Our Bodies?
When we want to walk, we move our legs; when we want to sit, we can settle into a chair.
But if our legs are broken or injured, even basic movements like walking or sitting become difficult.
Isn't it the same with our brains—our thoughts?
Why Did I Grow Up to Be Someone Who Thinks So Much?
Some people are deep thinkers, while others don’t immerse themselves as deeply in their thoughts.
So, why did I grow up to be someone who thinks a lot?
Everyone has different environments, lifestyles, and ways of thinking, so it’s hard to pinpoint one exact reason. However, we can make several inferences.
Childhood Experiences and Environmental Factors
Due to overprotection or control from parents or those around you—or perhaps because of negative energy—you might have become overly attentive to people and your environment as a means of coping.
While parents nurture their children with certain expectations, if this turns into control and high demands, the child may develop perfectionist tendencies, leading to excessive thinking and worry.
The friends you surrounded yourself with can also be a factor. During adolescence, communication with friends is crucial, and since we spend a lot of time at school, you might have been influenced by the interests you and your friends shared and the thoughts you exchanged.
Personal Dispositions and Personality
Highly sensitive individuals tend to think deeply and react intensely to external stimuli. While this allows them to experience a diverse range of sensations, it also naturally leads to overthinking because they’re constantly absorbing and processing so much.
Introverted people often focus more on their inner world than the external one, getting lost in their thoughts and living a life rich with contemplation.
There’s no saying that one trait is better or worse than another. After all, people with deep sensitivity and introverted tendencies have many strengths. However, if you find yourself feeling stressed due to excessive thinking or wishing to break free from habitual thought patterns, it might be a good topic to consider for yourself.
Social and Cultural Influences
People naturally grow up shaped by their country, region, society, and culture. I was born in South Korea and spent all my school years there. Given Korea’s emphasis on the importance of university admission and employment, most children start working diligently from elementary school to secure their future schools and companies. This is the norm in Korean society and culture.
The social pressure for success and achievement leads to constant self-evaluation and worry. Additionally, as more teenagers spend increasing amounts of time on smartphones and the internet, the endless stream of information continually boosts the volume of their thoughts.
So then…
Can We Change to Stop Being Tormented by Our Thoughts?
Absolutely! With the right methods, effort, and time, anyone can change.
Our brains have the ability to structurally and functionally transform in response to new experiences, learning, and environmental changes.
This means that our brains aren’t fixed—they continue to evolve and adapt throughout our entire lives.
This phenomenon is known as the brain’s neuroplasticity.
The mechanisms of this neuroplasticity are broadly classified into Synaptic Plasticity and Neurogenesis.
Synaptic Plasticity
Long-Term Potentiation (LTP): A phenomenon where the efficiency of synapses is enhanced over the long term through repetitive stimulation.
Long-Term Depression (LTD): A phenomenon where the efficiency of synapses decreases, weakening unnecessary connections.
Synaptic plasticity serves as the fundamental mechanism for learning and memory.
Neurogenesis
The process by which new neurons are generated, occurring in specific regions of the adult brain as well. The creation of new neurons contributes to learning abilities and memory formation.
Synaptic Plasticity and Changing Your Thoughts
Now that we’ve explored the possibilities and functions of change through the brain’s flexibility, let’s move on to practical steps.
1. Changing Negative Thought Patterns
Repetitive negative thinking forms strong neural pathways in the brain. However, by consistently practicing positive thoughts and actions, you can create new neural pathways that replace existing negative patterns.
2. Altering Habits and Behaviors
Establishing new habits requires repeated actions and practice, which strengthen synaptic connections in the relevant areas of the brain.
3. Enhancing Brain Function Through Learning
When you acquire new skills or knowledge, the neural circuits related to those areas develop and strengthen.
A Shocking Revelation About the Brain: It Can’t Multitask
An astonishing discovery about the brain has emerged: “The brain cannot multitask.” Rather than handling multiple tasks simultaneously, our brains are actually rapidly switching between tasks.
If your thoughts are bringing you negative energy and your mind doesn’t have a moment to rest due to constant overthinking,
there’s a simple solution to this problem.
" Don't Give Yourself Time to Overthink—Keep Yourself Busy with Other Activities! "
Simpler than you thought, right?
Since our brains can’t multitask, instead of giving them time for unnecessary thoughts, let’s engage them in “something beneficial for us”!
Exercise, meditation, playing an instrument, studying—anything works! (Visiting luckystonemuse.com to read various helpful articles is also a great idea, haha!)
Another Way to Shift Your Thinking
Realizing Something Can Change Your Thoughts
When our brains recognize possibilities, the potential for change arises simultaneously.
For example, someone who was struggling with depressive thoughts started jogging at a friend’s suggestion. Living with a heavy heart every day, even just stepping outside required a significant amount of courage. However, once they actually started exercising, they experienced the delightful feeling of both body and mind becoming lighter. They realized that moving their body eased their feelings of depression. As a result, through regular exercise, their negative thoughts diminished, and their zest for life increased.
Just as realizing something can change a person’s life, it can change mine—and yours too!
Epiphanies often come suddenly. They don’t happen just because we expect them intensely, and sometimes we’re lucky enough to have one right when we start something new. That’s why if we have the desire and thought to change, we must deeply ingrain the importance of consistency.
Through various methods—discovering new perspectives, shifting perceptions through mindfulness practices like meditation or counseling, fostering positive changes via physical activity, and embracing learning and a growth mindset—we can get closer to awakening our brain’s recognition and understanding.
How much and what kinds of thoughts we have in life are determined by various factors. However, anyone can change by leveraging the brain’s plasticity. The key is to understand and recognize our thought patterns. With appropriate strategies, perhaps some counseling, and consistent practice, wouldn’t our lives head in a better direction?
I’ll be cheering you on as we journey together!
Thank you!
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