Gen Z are the biggest overthinkers - with 69 per cent admitting they often spiral over everyday moments.
A poll of 2,000 adults found millennials follow close behind, with 63 per cent often overthinking things, but this drops to just 38 per cent of Boomers.
While Gen Z take it one step further with 28 per cent of those aged 18-29 even admitting to being a âchronic overthinkerâ â more than any other generation, with 32 per cent going as far as to say itâs a daily occurrence.
Going back over embarrassing moments (51 per cent) is Gen Zâs most commonly overthought scenario, followed by things they didnât say but wish they had (50 per cent), and how their text messages will be perceived (43 per cent).
While 46 per cent even fret about text messages or voice notes being left on âreadâ, along with what they post on social media (31 per cent) and accidentally liking someone elseâs photo when scrolling (29 per cent).
The research was commissioned by Extra Gum, which has teamed up with reality TV star Stephen Libby, to become its Chief Overthinking Officer and mark the launch of its new EXTRA Plus chewing gum range.
Stephen said: âI know the overthinking spiral all too well.
âIâve been in many rooms where every look, comment or pause has been second guessed - and this research shows weâre all doing it daily.
âIâm especially guilty with texts - rewriting one message three times, hitting send, then rereading it againâĤ and if thereâs a full moon, Iâm 100 per cent going back for another look.â
The study also found 81 per cent of Gen Z regularly get stuck in their own head, compared to just 68 per cent of all adults.
But social media is a key driver, with 56 per cent admitting they have deleted a post if they didnât get âenoughâ likes or comments within the first hour, something only 25 per cent of all Brits do.
While 65 per cent re-read texts theyâve sent, checking whether they sounded too dramatic or excessive (33 per cent), too keen (27 per cent), or not funny enough (27 per cent).
Almost nine in 10 (86 per cent) even deliberately delay replying so they donât appear overly eager.
Voice notes offer no escape either, with 73 per cent of Gen Z having re-recorded a âcasualâ message multiple times to get the tone just right, compared to just 32 per cent of all adults overall.
It also emerged 82 per cent of Gen Z also replay awkward conversations from their day, compared to just 56 per cent of all Brits.
The research, carried out via OnePoll, also found some have an explanation for their overthinking behaviour â blaming it on a full moon.
More than a quarter (27 per cent) of all adults think this can impact how they think and feel, with this rising to 46 per cent of Gen Z.
With those young adults believing they are more likely to spiral or overthink (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 the lunar phase.
As a result, 62 per cent of Gen Z say theyâll be more cautious about their behaviour during the two full moons, compared to just 35 per cent of Brits overall.
Ahead of the second full moon of the month on May 31st, 20 per cent of young adults are planning to be more careful about what they send, while 17 per cent will avoid sending risky texts, and 16 per cent are ready to blame the moon if things go wrong.
To mark the first full moon on 1st May, EXTRA Plus hosted a pop-up in Manchester, inviting Brits to share their overthinking confessions in real life.
Francesca Oddie, astrologer and the brandâs Cosmic Chaos Guide, said: âFull moons have a way of making everything feel a bit more âextraâ than usual, people read into things, second-guess decisions, and suddenly even a simple message feels like it means more than it does.
âWith two full moons in one month, May really does feel like overthinking season, so itâs no surprise people say theyâre being a bit more cautious.
âWhether you believe in it or not, itâs definitely a time when those second thoughts come out to play.â
THE TOP SITUATIONS GEN Z OVERTHINK
1.ââââOver analysing embarrassing moments
2.ââââThings I didnât say but wish I had
3.ââââText message or voice note being left on âreadâ
4.ââââWorrying about how text messages Iâve sent will be perceived
5.ââââWhat someone meant by a short reply to a message (e.g. OK.)
6.ââââSmall everyday decisions (e.g. what to wear, what to eat)
7.ââââTelling a white lie
8.ââââWhat I posted on social media
9.ââââScrolling deep into someoneâs Instagram and accidentally liking a photo
10.âââA message from your boss saying, âfree for a chat?â
11.âââIs there a secret WhatsApp chat without me?
12.âââSending a snapchat to the wrong person
13.âââWhat I said on a date
14.âââOver analysing voice notes Iâve received
15.âââChoosing the ârightâ emoji
16.âââVoice notes Iâve sent (e.g. when I was tired)
17.âââHow many hahaâs to put in a group chat to something mildly funny
