Stop Overthinking and Start Trusting Your Gut

Intuition is frequently dismissed as mystical or unreliable, but there’s a deep neurological basis for it. 

There are many names for gut feelings or the ability to immediately understand something without conscious reasoning. 

In other words, answers and solutions come to you, but you may not be aware of exactly why or how.

Scientists call the stomach the “second brain” for a reason. 

Even the U.S. Navy has invested millions of dollars into helping sailors and Marines refine their sixth sense, precisely because intuition can supersede intellect in high-stakes situations like the battlefield.

When you approach a decision intuitively, your brain works in tandem with your gut to quickly assess all your memories, past learnings, personal needs, and preferences and then makes the wisest decision given the context. 

In this way, intuition is a form of emotional and experiential data that we should value.

The only problem is that you’ve probably been taught to devalue this strength in yourself. The good news is that intuition is like a muscle — it can be strengthened with intentional practice. 

The next time you find yourself struggling to make a decision, ask yourself, “which action or decision brings you closer to those core values?” Going within can help dissolve the internal tension that leads to mental loops.