The Overthinking Mind
Hypnotherapist and life coach Lisa Peacocke shares why our minds won’t switch off, and how small, gentle steps can bring lasting calm.
Do you ever find yourself lying in bed at night, replaying conversations, imagining worst-case scenarios, or worrying about things that haven’t even happened yet?
You are not alone.
Many women, especially those juggling families, careers and a never-ending to-do list, live with a mind that simply will not switch off.
This is called overthinking. While it feels like a modern problem, it is actually a deeply human response.
The good news is that it can be gently unlearned.
Why We Overthink
Your brain is designed to keep you safe.
It scans for danger, solves problems, and learns from past experiences.
It is trying to help, but sometimes it helps too much.
When your mind does not feel safe – emotionally, physically, or even subconsciously – it slips into overdrive.
It loops through thoughts in an effort to prepare for every possible outcome.
Think of it like having 50 tabs open at once, but none of them ever loading fully.
It is exhausting. Over time, this can lead to poor sleep, anxiety, physical tension, and a general feeling of being stuck.
The Cost of Constant Thinking
When you are stuck in your head, it becomes harder to be present in your life.
Enjoying a walk, a conversation, or a quiet moment is difficult when your brain is full of “what-ifs.”
Overthinking can lead to:
- Indecision and second-guessing
- Worry about relationships, money or health
- Tiredness that does not ease with rest
- Difficulty being present
This is not about being dramatic. It is about your nervous system being overstimulated, and your mind trying to keep up.
So What Can We Do?
You cannot think your way out of overthinking. It is not a thinking problem. It is a safety issue.
The answer lies in calming your nervous system and teaching your subconscious mind that it is safe to let go.
Here are a few gentle tools to begin with:
1. The “Not Now” Whisper
When your thoughts start to spiral, gently say to yourself:
Not now. I choose peace.
You are not ignoring the thought.
You are simply letting it know it is not needed right now.
This works best when said softly and kindly.
2. Soothing Breath Technique
Try this calming breath:
- Inhale for 4
- Hold for 2
- Exhale for 6
This helps shift your body into its calming state and brings you out of the head and into the body.
3. Mini Hypnotic Reset
At bedtime or during an overthinking spiral, close your eyes.
Picture a warm golden light at the top of your head.
With each breath, imagine that light moving slowly through your face, chest, arms and legs, relaxing every part of you.
Let your thoughts pass like clouds.
Whisper:
I am safe now. I choose to rest. My mind can be quiet.
You do not have to stop the thoughts.
You are simply choosing to soften them.
4. Hypnotherapy – A Tool That Works
Hypnotherapy works by guiding your subconscious into a deeply relaxed state.
From there, we can begin to:
- Release old patterns of fear and control
- Build a sense of inner safety
- Reconnect with your calm, confident self
Clients often say:
“I felt like my brain finally got a massage.”
Or:
“I did not realise how loud my thoughts were until they went quiet.”
It is not magic, but it can feel magical.
You Deserve a Quiet Mind
You are not your thoughts.
And they are not the truth.
You are simply carrying too much.
Your mind has been doing its best to protect you.
Now, it is time to teach it a new way.
A softer way. A quieter way.
It begins with one breath.
One moment of stillness.
One gentle whisper of “not now.”
You are safe.
You are enough.
And it is okay to rest.
Lisa Peacocke – Be a Better You
📧 lisapeacocke@gmail.com | 📞 +44 7793015536
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