Your ONE minute with DR. KRISSY DOYLE-THOMAS Neuroscientist and Professor 🧠 -VIDEO

GOSH, MY THOUGHTS!🤯

We may call it “overthinking”, “ruminating” or “obsessing”.

Regardless of what we called it, our demanding thoughts can lead to distress and restlessness. Eventually, if not dealt with, it can lead to anxiety or depression.

A brain structure called the Orbitofrontal Cortex is involved in “overthinking”. However, we can change activity within the Orbitofrontal Cortex and other brain regions it works with, through the things we do.

Here are 3 things you can do:

Say “STOP”. When negative thoughts bombard our minds, say “STOP”. This auditory cue activates other cognitive areas in our brains that help us stop the mental loop.

Realize that “thoughts are NOT facts”. We can question if our thoughts are “real” and “true”. And if they are not, reject them.

Practice MINDFULNESS. Mindfulness is the act of being “present” and “in the moment”. This helps to distance ourself from intrusive thoughts and attend instead to experiences in the moment.