Is Your Thinking Brain Running the Show? Discover How to Regain Control
In our fast-paced, information-driven world, it’s easy to feel like our thinking brains are running the show – constantly analysing, worrying, and planning. While our minds are powerful tools, they can also become our biggest obstacles, preventing us from living fully in the present moment and connecting with our deeper innate wisdom.
The Nature of the Thinking Brain
Our thinking brain is an incredible asset, especially when it comes to tasks requiring logic, planning, and problem-solving. However, its default mode during stressful situations is to ramp up its activity in an attempt to solve or justify our internal state. This often leads to overthinking, which can amplify stress and create a distorted view of reality.
From the perspective of Energy-Flow Coaching™ (EFC), thinking and perceptions are reflections of our physiological state or ‘state of consciousness’ in the moment. In other words, what we think – and how we perceive ourselves and the world around us – is shaped more by our internal state than by external factors. Factors such as nervous system arousal, the contents of our stress bucket, sleep quality, connection, movement, and nutrition all contribute to our current ‘state of consciousness.’
When we understand that our thinking brain is not giving us a true reflection of reality but rather a snapshot of our internally generated reality coloured by our current state, we can start to shift our relationship with our thoughts.
Breaking the Habit of Overthinking
The more you engage in overthinking, the more you reinforce the neural pathways associated with it. Our brains are incredibly adaptive, and the repetition of certain thought patterns strengthens these pathways, making it easier and more habitual to fall into the cycle of constant mental chatter. This habit can become deeply ingrained, creating a feedback loop where thinking begets more thinking, leading to increased anxiety, stress, and mental fatigue. Breaking this pattern requires intentional effort to interrupt these habitual thought processes and create new pathways that encourage a more balanced and present state of mind.
The Neurochemical Addiction to Stress and Shifting Towards the Present
Overthinking doesn’t just reinforce mental patterns, it also creates a physiological addiction to stress hormones like adrenaline and dopamine. When we’re caught in cycles of worry or intense focus on problems, our bodies release these chemicals, which can create a sense of urgency or even a fleeting rush. However, this state is unsustainable and can lead to burnout. To break free from this cycle, it’s essential to shift towards cultivating brain chemicals that support well-being and presence, such as serotonin and oxytocin. These ‘here and now’ chemicals are associated with feelings of calm, contentment, and connection, and can be nurtured through an understanding of how our internal experience is created coupled with developing a practice of grounding in the body and presence in the moment. By consciously shifting our focus from mental chatter to bodily awareness and the present moment, we can rewire our brains to favour a more peaceful, balanced state over the constant pursuit of adrenaline-fueled thinking.
Recognising When the Thinking Brain Takes Over
One of the first steps in regaining control is recognising when your thinking brain has taken the lead. Common signs include:
- Tension or discomfort in the body, brain fog, or headaches.
- Overanalysing situations and getting caught in loops of repetitive thinking.
- Difficulty relaxing or being present in the moment.
- Increased anxiety or stress during decision-making or in response to external pressures.
- Difficulty making decisions.
- Agitation and lack of patience.
- Difficulty focusing or paying attention.
Once you’re aware of these patterns, you can begin to take action. You’ll know if your overthinking is destructive because you’ll feel it in your body. Your mind will feel cluttered, you’ll be ruminating and churning, and generally feeling worse. In fact, it will feel as though your brain just won’t stop. The irony is that the more you think, the more negative feelings you generate, which in turn fuels more negative thinking. The solution isn’t to think more by frantically trying to change your thoughts; it’s to think less.
Connecting with the Body to Quiet the Mind
A crucial part of managing the thinking brain is reconnecting with the body. EFC emphasises that the body is not just a vessel for the mind but a rich source of wisdom and intuition. Here are some ways to reconnect with your body:
- Open Awareness: This practice involves expanding your focus beyond your thoughts to include sensations in your body and your immediate environment. By doing this, you shift your attention away from the incessant mental chatter and into the present moment.
- Conscious Breathing: Breathwork is a powerful tool for regulating your internal state. Slow, deep breaths can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping to calm the body and, in turn, quiet the mind. Try a simple practice: inhale deeply for a count of 3 and exhale for 5. This not only calms the mind but also fosters a deeper connection with the body.
- Aligning with the Expanded True Self: This concept in EFC refers to tuning into a part of yourself that exists beyond the mind’s conditioning. It’s about connecting with your core essence, your innate wisdom, which is naturally calm, clear, and aligned with your deepest values. This alignment often brings a sense of peace and purpose, which can diminish the power of the thinking brain.
- Movement: Engaging in physical movement is a powerful way to pull yourself out of your thinking mind and into your body. Whether it’s walking, stretching, yoga, or any form of exercise, movement helps to distract from incessant thoughts and brings your focus to the sensations in your body. Movement not only releases tension but also energises the body, making it easier to quiet the mind and stay present. By connecting with the rhythm and flow of your body, you can shift your attention away from mental activity and into a more grounded, embodied state of being.
Changing Your Relationship with Thoughts
It’s important to acknowledge that stopping thoughts entirely isn’t realistic – nor is it the goal. Rather than focusing on observing thoughts or trying to change negative thoughts into positive ones, EFC encourages a different approach: understanding that thinking leads to more thinking, which can often make us feel worse. Instead of engaging with every thought or trying to manage them directly, we simply remind ourselves that more thinking will only deepen our discomfort.
The key is to notice when we’re caught in a cycle of unhelpful rumination and mental stories, and then consciously redirect our attention to the body and the present moment. By doing so, we trust that clarity of mind will naturally return when we disengage from the overactivity of the thinking brain. This approach allows us to step back from the mental chatter and reconnect with our innate wisdom and intuition, fostering a more balanced and intuitive response to life’s challenges.
Conclusion
Regaining control from an overactive thinking brain isn’t about eliminating thought. It’s about understanding where your thinking comes from and what drives it. It’s also important to find balance – knowing when to engage your mind’s analytical powers and when to step back, reconnect with your body, and allow your deeper wisdom to guide you.
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