The Struggles of Overthinking: Navigating Mental Health in the Gen Z Era
If you've been keeping up with our newsletter, Schenelle's remarkable work has likely caught your attention before. As a young leader, her outward demeanor radiates confidence, yet she's not immune to challenges. This openness about her own struggles is emblematic of a broader trend among Gen Z, a generation that's remarkably candid about discussing mental health issues. Schenelle's willingness to share her journey serves as a beacon of hope to fellow youth – a reminder that amidst struggles, there's a glimmer of hope.
Delve into her article as she takes you through her journey, while also shedding light on Gen Z's unique perspective on mental health.
Being an overthinker, it’s easy to get lost in a wave of thoughts that leave me overwhelmed – overthinking. Whether it’s a small decision I've made, the answer I should have put on the test, what dessert I should have ordered at the restaurant, something I’ve said to someone or something someone said to me, it can be a lot. If we're not aware of the extent to which we overthink, it can become a destructive force, chaining us to a vicious cycle of negativity that can be hard to break out of. Not only can this take a toll on our mental health, but it can also impact those around us.
Research indicates that two primary factors are responsible for triggering overthinking: stress and anxiety. When we feel under a lot of stress or pressured to do something, we start to think excessively about the choices we’re making. Invariably, this can lead us to adopt a negative mindset that causes us to feel overwhelmed. We tend to focus on worst-case possibilities and scenarios, hindering us from recognizing the potential positives in the bigger picture. Sometimes, under stressful situations, we might also overthink the choices we could make because we tend to evaluate them deeply, creating pros and cons lists in our heads. While this can be a useful skill when it comes to enhancing critical thinking, thinking outside the box, or extending our thoughts, it shouldn't be confused with overthinking. The term "overthinking" carries a negative connotation attached to a feeling of worry. If we're becoming increasingly worried about the same thought, it indicates that we’re dwelling on something for too long, and we should take it as a sign to shift our focus to something else.
We also tend to overthink due to anxiety, which may stem from various factors including uncertainty about the future, trauma, or being stuck in a dilemma. It’s much easier said than done to control overthinking because most of the time, we do it subconsciously and spontaneously when faced with challenging situations. Personally, things that have worked for me when I overthink include recognizing when I'm entering a state of excessive thinking and worry. In stressful situations, I tend to overthink, so I use activities like listening to music, engaging in art, or doing things I love to distract myself for a while. However, in situations like tests where I need to maintain focus, I've found that slow breathing helps calm my mind and enhances my thinking. Lastly, it's essential to accept that there will be challenging times, and the optimal way to approach situations is by remaining calm and focusing on finding solutions. The more we think about the negative effects of a situation, the more we prevent ourselves from finding a way to move past it.
Therefore, whether it’s a small decision I've made, the answer I should have put on the test, what dessert I should have ordered at the restaurant, something I’ve said to someone or something someone said to me, I might not be able to control the outcomes of the situation, but I can control how I approach it. Preferably, by not dwelling on it too much and accepting it as an experience.
By providing Gen Z and Millenials with spaces to connect, share, and collaborate, initiatives like TribesforGOOD offer a unique environment for young changemakers to exchange insights into the complexities of overthinking and its intersections with mental health.
Join the TRIBE by participating in the upcoming cohorts of The Global Challenges and Social Justice Program.