Have you ever spent hours replaying a conversation in your head that didn't go well? Maybe you said something you wish you hadn't. Maybe someone made a comment you can't stop thinking about.
But the more you think about it, the worse you feel — and you can't seem to stop. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.
My guest is Donna Jackson Nakazawa, an award-winning science journalist and author of nine books. Her new book is Mind Drama and she has uncovered some surprising strategies that can help you stop overthinking.
Some of the things we discuss are:
What's actually happening in your brain when you can't stop replaying something — and what showed up on Donna's own brain scan
Why "just think about it a little more" is a lie your brain tells you (and the part of your brain that's terrible at solving problems is the one running the show)
Why we're all overthinking more than we used to — and the perfect storm making it worse
How a single anxious thought sends a stress signal all the way down to the energy centers of your cells
The MIST framework — a step-by-step way to decode the pattern behind whatever you keep replaying
The "ballistic interrupter" — a neuroscience-backed trick that stops the spiral by changing one small thing about how you talk to yourself
Quick physical moves that signal safety to your brain and break the loop fast
The Therapist's Take: My top three strategies for breaking out of an overthinking loop starting today
Related Episodes
284 — Overthinking? Here’s the 3-Word Fix You Need to Stop the Spiral
258 - 7 Sneaky Mindset Traps Draining Your Mental Strength (And How to Stop Them)
Links & Resources
Mind Drama
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