Despite being thoroughly prepared for the coming exam, Sarah couldn’t stop herself from thinking about what could go wrong on test day. So, she kept studying her textbooks again and again. Do you often find yourself caught in this same type of loop, endlessly thinking about scenarios? If so, you’re likely struggling with a common challenge: overthinking.
Overthinking is a phenomenon in which individuals become trapped in a tangle of worries, continuously replaying past events in their mind or feeling uneasy about what the future holds. It’s like being stuck in a never-ending loop of negative thoughts that can prove challenging to escape. At the heart of overthinking lie stress and anxiety, typically stemming from a deep-rooted fear of things going wrong. Overthinkers tend to focus on worst-case scenarios, investing an excessive amount of time and energy in predicting and preventing potential bad outcomes.
This tendency to overthink can cause chaos when it comes to even the most mundane aspects of daily life. For instance, rather than moving past their mistakes, overthinkers often find themselves dwelling on them, unable to let the events go. Even seemingly straightforward decisions, such as where to grab lunch or what outfit to wear, can become major challenges for those overcome by overthinking.
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However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Breaking out of overthinking involves identifying its triggers and practicing mindfulness by being fully present in the moment. Also, just like fighting depression or other mental disorders, engaging in physical activity and talking to someone about your concerns can often provide great relief. By taking charge of your thoughts, you can escape the grip of overthinking and regain control over your mental well-being. With perseverance and determination, it’s possible to cultivate a healthier relationship with your mind and live a more balanced life.
儘管莎拉為即將到來的考試做了充分的準備，她仍然無法停止思考考試當天可能會出什麼差錯。因此，她一遍又一遍地翻看課本。你是否經常發現自己陷入這種迴圈裡，內心不斷上演各種小劇場？如果是這樣，你很可能在面對一個常見的挑戰：過度思考。
過度思考這種現象指的是當人們陷入憂慮的漩渦中，不斷在腦海中重播過去的事件或對未來感到不安。這就像被困在一個永無止境的負面思維循環中，難以擺脫。過度思考的根源是壓力和焦慮，通常源於對事情出錯根深蒂固的恐懼。過度思考者傾向專注於最糟糕的情況，花費過多的時間和精力來預測和預防可能的壞結果。
這種過度思考的傾向會把日常生活中哪怕是最稀鬆平常的事都搞得一團亂。例如，過度思考者常常無法走出自己的錯誤，往往發覺自己糾結在那些事上，沒辦法放下。就算是看似很直觀的決定，例如去哪裡吃午餐或穿什麼衣服，對那些受困於過度思考的人來說，也可能成為極大挑戰。
然而，隧道的盡頭仍有光明。擺脫過度思考需要辨識其觸發因素，並藉由全然地活在當下來練習正念。同時，就像對抗憂鬱或其他精神疾病一樣，參與體育活動和與他人談論你所擔憂的事通常可以帶來極大的緩解。通過掌控自己的思維，你可以擺脫過度思考的束縛，重新掌握你的心理健康。憑藉毅力和決心，你就可以和自己的思想培養更健康的關係，從而過著更平衡的生活。
KEY VOCABULARY
1. tangle n. 糾結
The garden hose was left in a knotted tangle on the ground.
花園的水管被丟在地上，打結糾纏成一團。
2. stem from 源自於
The conflict stems from a misunderstanding between the two parties.
這場衝突源於雙方的誤會。
3. excessive adj. 過量的；過度的
The company faced criticism for its excessive packaging waste.
這家公司因為過度包裝所產生的垃圾遭致批評。
4. outcome n. 結果
The scientists accurately predicted the outcome based on previous data and analysis.
這些科學家根據以往的數據和分析準確預測了結果。
5. chaos n. 混沌；混亂
The unexpected market crash led to financial chaos worldwide.
市場無預警的崩盤導致全球金融混亂。
6. outfit n. 全套服裝
Susie tried on multiple outfits before settling on the perfect one for her job interview.
蘇西試穿了多套服裝，最後才挑選到理想的那套參加工作面試。
7. disorder n. 失調；失序
Ginger suffers from a sleep disorder that affects her quality of life.
金潔為睡眠失調所擾，生活品質受到影響。
8. grip n. 控制；緊握
The government’s efforts to tighten its grip on the media were met with widespread criticism.
政府加強對媒體控制的做法遭到廣泛批評。
9. determination n. 決心
The educator’s determination to make a difference in the world was admirable.
這位教育家要讓世界有所不同的決心令人欽佩。
MORE INFORMATION
loop n. 迴圈；循環
deep-rooted adj. 深植的；根深蒂固的
mundane adj. 單調的；平凡的
mindfulness n. 正念認知（一種專注於當下時刻的注意力訓練方法，有助於減輕焦慮和壓力）
well-being n. 安康；幸福
perseverance n. 毅力
cultivate vt. 培養
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