WASTE MY DAYS STRESSING AND OVERTHINKING

Dear Coleen

I’m a woman in my 30s and during the past few months I’ve found I overthink everything. I can literally spend hours obsessing over something, which usually ends up being a waste of time.

I worry about my kids in school, my work (or lack of), money, life, death, the world and so on.

It’s not every day, but I go through periods of it. What can I do? I’ve never felt like this before.

Coleen says

Many of us have had a lot of time on our hands to think with very few distractions recently, plus the added worries over Covid-19 and how it might affect us.

It sounds like you could be suffering from anxiety and you could talk to your GP about your symptoms. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is one technique that can be very effective for helping to manage anxiety.

But there’s also a lot you can do to help yourself – mindfulness tools such as meditation, breathing exercises and keeping a journal for example.

You can find more ideas by searching for ‘anxiety’ on mind. org.uk. Looking after your physical health by eating well and getting exercise will also help your mental wellbeing, mood and sleep.

Distraction and absorbing yourself in something you love really takes you out of that pattern of obsessing over something, too. It can be anything at all – gardening, reading, painting, or mindful colouring.

Also, confide in friends – admitting how you feel and talking about it will help lift the burden.