A new study has revealed that Gen Z are the greatest overthinkers, with seven in ten confessing they frequently spiral over routine situations. Millennials are not far behind, with 63 per cent regularly overthinking matters, while this figure plummets to merely 38 per cent among Boomers.
Alarmingly, 28 per cent of Gen Z describe themselves as 'chronic overthinkers', with 32 per cent reporting it happens every single day. The research, conducted by Extra Gum, surveyed 2,000 individuals and found that replaying cringeworthy moments tops Gen Z's list of most frequently overthought situations at 51 per cent. Dwelling on things they failed to say but wanted to ranks narrowly behind at 50 per cent, with how text messages come across following at 43 per cent.
Additionally, 46 per cent stress about text messages or voice notes remaining on 'read', while 31 per cent worry about what they share on social media and 29 per cent fret about unintentionally liking another person's photograph while browsing. The study also revealed that 81 per cent of Gen Z frequently find themselves trapped in their thoughts, in contrast to 68 per cent of adults overall.
Social media plays a significant role, with 56 per cent of Gen Z confessing they have removed a post if it failed to receive 'enough' likes or comments within the first hour, something only 25 per cent of all Britons do. Meanwhile, 65 per cent scrutinise texts they have dispatched, questioning whether they appeared too dramatic (33 per cent), too enthusiastic (27 per cent), or insufficiently amusing (27 per cent). Nearly nine in ten (86 per cent) even intentionally postpone responding so they do not seem excessively keen.
Voice messages provide no refuge either, with 73 per cent of Gen Z having re-recorded a 'casual' message several times to perfect the tone, compared to merely 32 per cent of adults generally. The investigation also uncovered that 82 per cent of Gen Z replay uncomfortable exchanges from their day, versus only 56 per cent of all Britons.
Some attribute their overthinking tendencies to a full moon. Over a quarter (27 per cent) of all adults believe this celestial event can influence their thoughts and emotions, with this figure climbing to 46 per cent among Gen Z. Younger adults believe they are more prone to spiral (14 per cent), feel more chaotic (13 per cent), avoid making big decisions (12 per cent), and even text an ex (eight per cent) during this lunar phase. Consequently, 62 per cent of Gen Z admit they will exercise greater caution regarding their actions during the two full moons in May, in contrast to 35 per cent of Britons generally.
Extra Gum has partnered with reality television personality Stephen Libby to become its Chief Overthinking Officer, celebrating the debut of its new EXTRA Plus chewing gum collection. Stephen commented: 'I know the overthinking spiral all too well. I've been in many rooms where every look, comment or pause has been second guessed - and this research shows we're all doing it daily. I'm especially guilty with texts - rewriting one message three times, hitting send, then rereading it again... and if there's a full moon, I'm 100 per cent going back for another look.'
Francesca Oddie, astrologer and the brand's Cosmic Chaos Guide, added: 'Full moons have a way of making everything feel a bit more "extra" than usual, people read into things, second-guess decisions, and suddenly even a simple message feels like it means more than it does. With two full moons in one month, May really does feel like overthinking season, so it's no surprise people say they're being a bit more cautious.'
