Do you think about things too much? (Excessive Worrying) Let's find out how this affects the body

Do you sometimes think, "If I just thought about this a little more, if I worried a little more, maybe this bad thing could be prevented from happening?" But the truth is, thinking too much about things, which is what worrying is, can have unimaginable effects on our bodies. When this goes beyond the point, it can lead to excessive worry, which is what anxiety is, and it can actually make us physically ill.

What does overthinking really mean?

Simply put, worrying is the feeling of being uncomfortably or excessively concerned about a situation or problem. When this becomes excessive, both your mind and body go into overdrive as you constantly think about "what if?"

At times like these, you may feel extremely anxious, even panicky, even during the day. Many people who worry constantly say that they simply feel like something bad is going to happen to them or that they have an unrealistic fear of what might happen. This fear only increases their anxiety. These people, who are hypersensitive to their surroundings and the criticism of others, tend to see anything and everyone as a threat.

This chronic worrying can affect your daily life so much that it can interfere with your appetite, lifestyle, relationships, sleep, and even work performance . Many people who worry excessively turn to unhealthy habits like overeating, smoking, drinking, and drug use to relieve their anxiety.

What is anxiety, that is, anxiety?

Anxiety is actually a normal response to stress. However, if it persists, it may be the result of a medical condition such as `(Generalized Anxiety Disorder)`, `(Panic Disorder)`, or `(Social Anxiety)`.

Think about it, a stressful event like an exam or a job interview can make anyone feel a little anxious. Sometimes this little anxiety is good. It helps you prepare for an upcoming situation. For example, if you are preparing for a job interview, if you have a little anxiety, you will research the position more and try to present yourself in a more professional manner, right? Also, worrying about an exam can help you study harder and prepare better.

This excessive worry or persistent fear is harmful because it becomes so irrational that you can't think clearly, you can't think about reality. People with high anxiety have a hard time letting go of their worries. When they do, they actually start to experience physical symptoms.

Does excessive anxiety trigger the body's stress response?

Stress is caused by the demands and pressures we face every day. Things like long lines at the supermarket, traffic jams during rush hour, a constantly ringing phone, or a chronic illness can all cause daily stress. When your worry and anxiety are high, your body's stress response is more likely to be activated.

This stress response has two parts. The first is the recognition of the challenge. The second is the automatic physical response known as " fight or flight ." This releases a large amount of the hormone adrenaline into the body, putting the body on red alert.

In the past, this "fight or flight" response protected our ancestors from threats like wild animals. Even though we don't encounter wild animals today, threats still exist. They come in the form of a troublesome person at work, a crying baby, or an argument with a loved one.

Can overthinking really make you sick?

Yes, it definitely can. Chronic worry and emotional stress can lead to a number of health problems. The problem is that this "fight or flight" response is triggered by excessive worry on a daily basis.

This response causes the body's nervous system to release stress hormones, such as cortisol . These hormones can increase blood sugar levels and triglycerides, which are fats that the body can use as fuel. These hormones also cause various physical reactions.

If excessive worry and anxiety are not treated, it can lead to depression and even suicidal thoughts .

The important thing is that while these effects occur in response to stress, it's how you deal with stress that determines whether you actually get sick or not. That is, it's not the stress itself that makes you sick. Rather, it's the way in which responses, such as excessive worry, affect various systems in our bodies. But the good news is that there are many things you can do to change the way you respond.

What can we do to control this situation?

Even if your body is out of balance due to excessive anxiety, you have several options to restore harmony between mind, body, and spirit.

• See your doctor: First, talk to your family doctor. Get a complete physical exam and make sure that your anxiety isn't caused by another health problem. If necessary, your doctor may prescribe medications, such as anti-anxiety or antidepressants, to help manage your anxiety and worry.

• Exercise daily: With your doctor's approval, start a regular exercise program. The chemicals produced during moderate exercise are extremely beneficial in improving the functioning of the immune system.

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet: Stress and anxiety can cause some people to eat less, others to overeat, or to eat unhealthy foods. When your mind wanders to the fridge, think about your health.

• Control your caffeine intake: Since caffeine stimulates the nervous system, it can trigger the release of the hormone adrenaline, making you feel jittery.

• Be mindful of your worries: Set aside 15 minutes each day to think about your problems and fears. Then, promise yourself that you will let them go when the 15 minutes are up. Some people wear a rubber band and "tuck" it when they start to have troubling thoughts. Do whatever you can to remind yourself to stop thinking about them.

• Practice relaxation techniques: Relaxation techniques can activate the opposite of the "fight or flight" response, the "relaxation response." These can greatly reduce anxiety and stress. These include deep breathing, meditation, listening to calming music, and activities like yoga and tai chi.

• Maintain a good social network: Loneliness or social isolation can make it difficult to manage stress. Research has shown that people with a good network of friends live longer and are less likely to develop all kinds of diseases.

• Talk to a professional counselor: Psychological counseling can help you develop appropriate strategies for dealing with the issues that are causing you great distress. The therapist can suggest ways to help you change, but you have to make the changes yourself. Therapy will only be successful if you are committed to working toward recovery.

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