Sanya Malhotra recently opened up about the emotional toll of overthinking, admitting that constant contemplation about relationships and friendships has left her feeling mentally exhausted. We spoke to a mental health expert to understand how overthinking affects mental health and contributes to emotional exhaustion. How does overthinking affect mental health? Healthy self-reflection vs overthinkingThe mental health expert also distinguished between healthy self-reflection and overthinking. To build emotional resilience, Dr Sarkar recommended focusing on small, consistent habits rather than trying to force intrusive thoughts away.