Not all negative thoughts are bad. But constantly thinking about negative things can lead to a downward cycle psychology calls rumination.
Rumination is when we have certain thoughts, memories, or ideas, that get stuck in our brain. And trying to relax, unwind, or think about something else can simply make the thought more ingrained.
When we're stuck in a ruminative thought pattern, our brains will naturally fill any unoccupied mental space with that negative loop. The antidote is to minimize that empty space by keeping our minds engaged and challenged.
I'm going to show you some practical strategies to hack your brain and end rumination cycles.
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00:00 The Frustrating Nature of Brain Rumination
02:51 The Impact of Rumination on Mental Energy Allocation
05:27 Minimizing Rumination Through HighStimulation Activities
08:09 Engaging the Brain to Combat Ruminative Thoughts
10:45 Directing Mental Energy for Positive Focus
Disclaimer: This content is not intended to be a replacement for receiving treatment. It is purely educational in nature. My relationship with you is that of presenter and audience, not therapist and client.
But I do care.