When the Mind Won’t Stop (Reflection)
Anxiety, the Body, and the Healing Power of Creation
*This publication is reader-supported. Writing is where my heart has chosen to stay. If these letters have kept you company, you’re welcome to help keep the ink flowing — one quiet coffee at a time.
When Thoughts Turn to Storms
There are nights when the mind spirals, shadows thickening with every thought. The very thoughts that strengthen intellectual ability end up eating the mind from the inside. Toxic thoughts crawl slowly and gradually build up. This toxicity forms a cloud that blurs our vision, rendering us unable to communicate our feelings clearly. Thoughts get mixed up with emotions, weakening judgment and executive functioning.
From Everyday Worry to Full-Blown Anxiety: How Anxiety Hijacks the Body
Over the years, and with the daily stress, normal healthy worrying turns into anxiety. This anxiety doesn’t just consume the mind, but affects the whole body.
Physiologically, eating becomes less important, and, as a result, metabolic processes are severely affected. Sleeping nd the ability to rest get serious blows, and as sleep is central in the maintenance of bodily functions, biological functions are hindered.
Psychologically, sleep deprivation impairs concentration and attention during task performance, thereby affecting executive functioning. What begins as psychological symptoms gradually affects the body, and somatic symptoms start to appear, such as increased heart rate, difficulty in respiration, and sometimes full-blown panic attacks.
The Mind as a Clogged Filter
The healthy flow of information is from input to processing, and finally to output. Anxiety traps all the information in the processing segment, unable to find an outlet. The mind is a filter that needs to be cleaned regularly, with waste and toxic thoughts excreted, while positive thoughts should find a healthy outlet.
When Thinking Becomes Cancerous
While thinking is an important part of mental well-being, being caught up in thoughts can have negative effects. Thinking of thinking as a positive tool becomes its own enemy; overthinking renders the mind unable to think clearly. For that reason, thoughts that build up can be cancerous to the mind. This overthinking clogs the mind filter and deregulates the healthy flow of information
Why Medication Alone Isn’t Enough
While medications help soothe the anxiety symptoms, they don’t tackle the problem at the root. As soon as the drug effect wears off, the anxiety returns. Moreover, almost all anxiety medications cause addiction, leading the anxious person to take more and more of the medication until it no longer offers the necessary relief. From fighting one problem, a person finds himself battling two wars, the anxiety nd the addiction, and each worsens the other.
This doesn’t say medications aren’t necessary, but rather that they should be complemented by deeper approaches that address the roots of the problem.
Breath: The Portal Back to Safety
Many breathing exercises and techniques offer a substantial improvement and relief of symptoms. Being present in the moment, taking some control of the automatic breathing process, gives control. Breathing is a pivotal portal between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems that together regulate bodily functions. Ovethinking traps the body and mind in a state of hyperalertness, in the so-called fight-or-flight mode. The body becomes overactivated, unable to focus on the present moment. Breathing techniques give you back the control you need and help rebalance the regulatory system. There’s a psychological concept called parasympathetic activation, which is achieved by using the five senses to witness the present moment, slowly resetting the system.
Creative Release as Ultimate Relief
The most effective healing antidote to anxiety is: creative release. writing—whether in a private journal or through poems—becomes e a way to let light into the places that hurt. Writing clears the mind’s filter and lets it breathe clearly again. Playing music, knitting, painting, or any other creative activity soothes the mind while simultaneously offering pleasure. A clear sky replaces the fog, and air clarity and freshness return.
Writing as My Personal Medicine
When anxiety chokes me, I stop thinking and simply write. My hand moves, the pen unspooling what my mind can’t hold. Sometimes, inspiration strikes and a poem tumbles out—good, bad, raw, beautiful. What matters is not perfection, but that it’s authentically mine. Through anxiety, lows, and highs of mood, the pen has been my perfect companion.
Your Turn: Where Do You Release?
To share is to invite new perspectives, inviting others into the space I’ve opened. Personally, writing is my therapy. It brings me peace. Where do you find your own release?
*This publication is reader-supported. Writing is where my heart has chosen to stay. If these letters have kept you company, you’re welcome to help keep the ink flowing — one quiet coffee at a time.
The analogy of overthinking as “cancerous” to the mind is particularly striking, emphasizing the need for mental clarity and balance. It’s a reminder that while medication can provide temporary relief, integrating holistic approaches can lead to more sustainable well-being. Thank you for sharing these valuable insights!
Somatic movement is where I find the most peace. Allowing my body to move me.