Stop Overreacting!

How often we fall prey to this vice: we overreact. It’s something that we all do and have been subjected to at some point or other. Ever wondered why we overreact? And what do we get by overreacting, except a disturbed mind? 

Let’s get down to the reasons. Someone may overreact because that is his or her trait. If that is so, he or she will always find situations where s/he is overreacting. Mental peace is out of question for such a person. 

Or, it may be that it’s not your trait, but sometimes, failing to control your anger, you just flare up. Then the reason is anger. I think most people fall under this category. 

We also overreact in situations of panic and extreme emotions. In panicky situations we lose our ‘cool’ and almost instinctively overreact. Or it may happen that something extremely emotional has happened—you suddenly lost someone, for example. In these situations also we overreact. 

While it’s not always possible to remain calm and composed in every situation—for the simple reason that life often overwhelms us—it’s no reason to pass it off as ‘natural’, especially if it happens frequently. Overreacting is not natural; in fact, it’s unnatural, unhealthy. No animal overreacts! Do they? The only excusable explanation for us may be that we are emotionally more advanced as a species, and we, most of us, remain hopelessly at the mercy of our emotions.  

The entire thing boils down to one thing: inability to control the mind; its movements. This inability is at the root of all our mental disturbances. Let me suggest to you what you can do. 

You have to firmly establish this thought in your mind: my mental peace is more important to me than reacting to anything or anyone! 

Really, what’s more important, tell me. If you still find yourself overreacting, chances are you’ve forgotten to keep that in mind. It needs to be etched in your thought, and for that, you need to constantly remind yourself of it—that no situation is worth my mental discomposure. As with everything else, this too needs practice. Here’s a technique you can actually hone: imagine yourself in such situations over and over and choose conscious response every time, or better still, silence. When the actual situation comes, you’ll be ready and you’ll find it much easier to remain calm. 

Last Words

Reactivity enslaves us. Response liberates. Try to respond consciously in your everyday dealings, only then will you be able to take hold of your mind when any potentially excitatory situation comes. It’s a skill. You have to work at it. 

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Thank you.

Feature Image Credit: https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/elephants-fear-of-mice-gm155439372-21095566?phrase=overreacting