Psychologists explain why you should stop “what if?” thinking and how this mindset harms your mental health

Wondering what might be, or what could have been, isn’t good for your mental health, especially as you get older, according to new research.

A study published in the scientific journal GeroScience earlier this month found that excessive “what if” thinking can be linked to higher levels of depression in older adults.

Inside the “what if” study

Nearly 500 German adults between the ages of 48 and 75 took part in what researchers called a “sequential risk-taking task.”

Participants were asked to “open” eight boxes on a computer screen. Seven of the boxes contained golden coins worth one point each, while one box contained an image of the devil. Opening that box caused participants to lose all the points they had earned so far.

The challenge was simple: the more boxes opened, the greater the potential reward, but also the higher the risk of losing everything.

Measuring mood and mental health

In addition to the computer task, participants completed a survey assessing their mental health, including questions about life satisfaction, emotional regulation, and depression.

Researchers found that, in general, the older participants were, the more satisfied they felt with life and the less likely they were to experience depression.

Older adults less prone to “what if” worries

Older adults in the study were less likely than younger participants to engage in “what if” thinking, which often involves second-guessing or dwelling on possible consequences. However, this pattern held true only for those who did not report symptoms of major depression.

The study concluded that excessive “what if” thinking may contribute to depression in older adults. Those who were less likely to ruminate or doubt their decisions tended to report lower levels of depressive symptoms.

Overthinking choices could harm your mood

In short, overanalyzing what might have been, or what could happen, may take a toll on mental well-being. Science suggests it’s better to make a decision, commit to it, and move forward.

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