The image portrays two heads on a black background, highlighting the contrast between different thinking patterns in various life situations. One head has loops drawn with a white line, symbolizing chaos, while the other has a line moving in concentric circles, representing a calm approach to thinking. This article was published on the Harvard Health portal.

People who experience constant worry about what they need to do, what they failed to do, and what’s next are often struggling with anxiety-induced thoughts. These thoughts can make it difficult to concentrate and may leave individuals feeling trapped. However, it is essential to recognize that such thoughts are merely ‘noise’ in our heads and something that our minds produce occasionally.

To overcome busy thoughts, people can learn awareness techniques that help change their thinking patterns. Distracting oneself, engaging in physical activity, and scheduling time for worry are also effective strategies for managing these thoughts. If busy thoughts are affecting someone’s life or sleep patterns significantly, seeking help from a family doctor or mental health professional might be necessary as these thoughts could be related to anxiety disorders, ADHD, OCD, trauma or other mental health issues.