Why do we overthink at night? Overthinking at night is largely down to the brain processing what has happened to us during the day. Because our days are now filled with so much and we're taking in more information, we don't have the gaps to process our thoughts throughout the day.
If you are an overthinker, you probably face sleep problems. This is because your body does not allow you to sleep when your mind is not at peace. Ruminating on almost everything and worrying constantly about things over which you have little or no control often lead to fewer hours of sleep.
People who are plagued with worry often ruminate about their concerns in bed, and this anxiety at night can keep them from falling asleep. In fact, a state of mental hyperarousal, frequently marked by worry, has been identified as a key factor behind insomnia.
Overthinking is not a recognized mental disorder by itself. But research has found that it's often a symptom of other mental health conditions, including: Depression.
Racing Mind and Anxiety
Rapid thoughts are often a symptom associated with anxiety. They can make people feel out of control or as if they are going crazy. When it comes to sleep, this effect of anxiety is a cyclical problem. Because your brain struggles to focus when it is tired, it often leads to racing thoughts.
Overthinking is commonly associated with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), says Duke. GAD is characterized by the tendency to worry excessively about several things. “Someone can develop GAD due to their genes. Or it could be personality factors like the inability to tolerate uncertainty in life.
What drives this is underlying anxiety. Common forms include worrying, perfectionism, struggle with making decisions, and excessive control over yourself and others. Keys to coping include getting your rational brain online, using your gut reactions as important information, and taking acceptable risks.
Do relaxing activities before bed, such as meditation or listening to soft, peaceful music. Don't consume caffeine in the late afternoon or evening. Don't go to bed unless you feel sleepy. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
Sleep anxiety is when you feel worried, scared, or anxious about being able to sleep well at night. Sleep anxiety can be caused by insomnia, and it can also make insomnia worse. Therapy, lifestyle changes, and medications can all help to get your sleep anxiety under control.
1. Use cognitive distancing. Our mind usually worries about things it is convinced are true but, most of the time, are actually not true. You can balance your mind's tendency to predict the worst outcome by coming up with positive alternative scenarios.
Overthinking can be an all-natural process, it can also be the result if the creative and overly active ADHD brain. While most believe overthinking to be a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder, it' actually relates more to ADHD.
One powerful way to control our thoughts is by using the practice of detaching from and observing our thoughts. When we develop mindfulness, through meditation and other practices, we discover that we can detach from our thoughts enough to be able to observe them, learn from them, and keep them from overpowering us.
Maladaptive daydreaming is a behavior where a person spends an excessive amount of time daydreaming, often becoming immersed in their imagination. This behavior is usually a coping mechanism in people who have mental health conditions like anxiety.
Anxiety, stress, and depression are some of the most common causes of chronic insomnia. Having difficulty sleeping can also make anxiety, stress, and depression symptoms worse. Other common emotional and psychological causes include anger, worry, grief, bipolar disorder, and trauma.
Antidepressants: Certain antidepressants can be effective in treating anxiety and racing thoughts. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used. Antihistamines: Some over-the-counter antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), can have a sedating effect and may be used to help with sleep.