Do you ever feel that there is so much information coming at you that it stops you from doing something?
And the more research you do, the more unsure you become in deciding your next step?
There is a name for this condition and it is called analysis paralysis or AP for short.
I think I have AP!
For over a year now I have been writing the aging well blog and it has led me to interesting topics and my own personal experiments. Some aging well experiments I have kept – using the love language of my spouse (actions rather than all words to show love). And others not so much– eating more legumes, strength training, and others.
But what I learnt from all of this research and sharing information with you is that I really enjoy finding out information on topics of interest.
I want to do more on the topic of aging well, so I have been investigating programs for further learning and even attended a Mindfulness Conference online out of Bangor University, Wales.
The conference presented results on scientific studies of how mindfulness can reduce stress, improve health outcomes and help people live longer.
It was all very interesting!
I get these brain waves and I think … hmm I should pursue a Masters in Mindfulness. And then in the next moment I am thinking more about pursuing education in positive psychology, which I looked at in my 30’s. That would be a full circle moment!
And then in the next breath, I am thinking about how to support the elderly (over 75) to have a good quality of life well into their 80’s.
I have all of these ideas and then I stop.
Instead of following my curiosity, I develop Analysis Paralysis. I am good at it, 😉 I evaluate and analysis programs for a living! But in my personal life I need to shut this over analysis down.
Take a step, any step to pursue further education and if it isn’t eventually what you want to pursue, then it was an interesting experiment.
Here are some signs that you’re dealing with analysis paralysis when faced with a decision:
- You’re constantly seeking more information, collecting data or conducting research without reaching a conclusion.
- You have an intense fear of making the wrong decision, which leads to a reluctance to take any action.
- You worry excessively about potential negative outcomes, leading to a state of inaction.
- You’re continually delaying making decisions by seeking more time to think or analyze the situation.
- You tend to miss or postpone deadlines repeatedly due to the inability to make a choice.
- You often feel stress, anxiety and a sense of being overwhelmed by the decision-making process.
- You feel mentally drained or exhausted due to the constant analysis.
- You may constantly seek input from others, soliciting opinions and advice from multiple sources.[1]
If I look at this list, I typically do the first bullet – constantly seeking more information, which leads to a recommendation by the experts:
Don’t Over-consult Your Options.
A pros and cons list can sometimes be helpful when making a decision, but there’s a point where you can start overwhelming yourself.
“You really want to try and avoid getting yourself into a situation where you have information overload,” she says. “If you start considering so many different options in so many different scenarios, that actually is what can cause you to feel immobilized.”
Yes, it’s important to ask for advice and refer to other resources to help guide your decision, but you should also make sure your mind is clear and at ease.[2]
Take a Break and Step Away from the Situation
I think this is really good for your health and it helps with analysis paralysis to get out of your head. You could go for a walk, practice guided meditation, try breathing exercises or do some type of light exercise. This summer with all the stress I was under, I found swimming in the lake did wonders for my mental health.
I am learning to let go and let it be. Sometimes I do not have all the pieces of the puzzle to figure something out and maybe for now being kind to myself is good enough. I do not always have to be pursuing something. (Did I tell you that I am very goal orientated, 😉).
Maybe that is the lesson – to enjoy each moment and it is okay to not always be achieving something. And if I follow that train of thought in what I learned at the Mindfulness Conference:
Mindfulness is a way of befriending ourselves and our experience. Jon Kabat-Zinn
Who knows? Food for thought.
I would love to hear from you if any of this resonated with you.
Take care and live well,
[1] Cleveland Clinic, Health Essentials,,https://health.clevelandclinic.org/analysis-paralysis
[2] Op Cit.