Ruminating Prevents You From Moving Forward
Spending too much time thinking can actually make things worse. When people ruminate, they over-think or obsess about situations or life events, such as work or relationships. Research has shown that rumination is associated with a variety of negative consequences, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, binge-drinking and binge-eating.
Not surprisingly, ruminating conjures up more negative thoughts. It becomes a cycle. Rumination also becomes the fast track to feeling helpless. Specifically, it paralyzes your problem-solving skills. You become so preoccupied with the problem that you’re unable to push past the cycle of negative thoughts.
How To Reduce Rumination
- Engage in activities that foster positive thoughts: For example, distract yourself with meditation or prayer.
- Problem-solve: Take small steps to begin solving problems.
- Positive Self-Reflection: Reappraise negative thoughts about events or the expectations of others.
- Let go of unattainable goals.
- Develop multiple sources of self-esteem.
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