When your mind is constantly busy, it can be difficult to relax or feel at ease. You may find yourself going over situations, analysing what happened, worrying about what might happen, or repeatedly trying to work things out.
Sometimes thinking helps us solve a problem. But when there is nothing concrete to solve, the mind can continue searching for certainty. This can leave you caught in cycles of worry, analysis and anticipation.
The aim is not to stop you thinking, but to help you become less caught up in these cycles, so that your thoughts don't take up so much of your time and attention.
When overthinking becomes exhausting
- Replay conversations or situations in your mind.
- Worry about things that have happened or might happen.
- Analyse decisions repeatedly.
- Imagine different outcomes and try to prepare for all of them.
- Find it difficult to leave a situation alone once something has caught your attention.
- Keep looking for an answer even when there may not be one.
- Find that your mind becomes particularly active when you are trying to relax or sleep.
- Spend a lot of time trying to work out what something means or whether you have made the right decision.
How I work with overthinking
I don't see overthinking simply as having too many thoughts. Often, it is also connected with how we respond to uncomfortable feelings and physical sensations.
When anxiety or tension appears, it can be natural to try to work out why it is happening or make the feeling go away. Sometimes this leads to more thinking, checking and attempts to gain certainty.
In sessions, we can explore a different way of responding. Rather than automatically becoming caught up in the stories your mind creates around a thought or sensation, the work can focus on your actual experience and on developing a different response.
The aim is to make these patterns less controlling, so that you can feel more at ease and have more freedom to direct your attention elsewhere.
What happens in sessions?
We begin by talking about what you are experiencing and how overthinking, worry or difficulty switching off are affecting you. This gives us an opportunity to understand what is happening for you and what you would like to change.
The hypnosis itself is only one part of the process. Sessions may also involve paying attention to thoughts, emotions and physical sensations, and learning to respond to them differently.
The number of sessions varies from person to person. Some people may benefit from one or a small number of sessions, while others choose to continue working together for longer.
Take the next step
If overthinking, worry or difficulty switching off is affecting your everyday life, you are welcome to get in touch to discuss what you're experiencing and whether this approach may be suitable for you.
Frequently asked questions
Can hypnotherapy help with overthinking?
Hypnotherapy can be used to work with the patterns associated with overthinking and worry. The aim is to help you develop a different response to thoughts, feelings and physical sensations.
Can overthinking be connected to anxiety?
Yes. Overthinking and anxiety can reinforce each other. Worry and attempts to gain certainty can increase tension and uneasiness, which can then lead to further thinking.
How many sessions will I need?
This varies from person to person. Some people may benefit from one or a small number of sessions, while others choose to continue working together for longer.
Are online sessions available?
Yes. Sessions are available online via Zoom, or face-to-face in Beverley and Leven.
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