The image shows two different ways of thinking on a black background, with one head having chaotic loops and the other with concentric circles. This topic was published on the Harvard Health portal.

People who struggle with busy thoughts are constantly worried about what they need to do, what they failed to do, and what they have to do next. This type of thinking is often caused by anxiety, which can make it difficult to stay focused and can leave a person feeling trapped.

To overcome these busy thoughts, it’s important to understand that they are just ‘noise’ in the mind and something that happens from time to time. Practicing awareness can help change these patterns of thinking. Distracting oneself, getting physically active, and scheduling time for worry are all strategies to consider in preventing busy thoughts from taking control over you.

If busy thoughts are affecting a person’s life or disrupting their sleep, it may be necessary to consult a family doctor or a mental health professional as they could be related to anxiety disorders, ADHD, OCD, trauma or other mental health issues.