How to Stop Ruminating Thoughts: A Therapist's Tips

Ruminating thoughts is when our mind is stuck a seemingly endless pattern of negativity. Often, we'll spiral into an endless circle, ruminating about things that have happened to us in the past, like a breakup or job loss, thinking over and over about what we could have said or done differently. If done persistently, ruminating thoughts might be a sign of anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Watch Priory Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) therapist Charlie Carroll as he gives his expert guide on rumination, including four tips for breaking free from ruminating negative thoughts.

Rumination is a common symptom of many anxiety disorders and other mental health disorders like OCD. If you find that rumination is having a severe impact on your life, consider private mental health support with Priory.

Skip to 👇
00:00 Teaser
00:07 What are ruminating thoughts?
00:55 Signs of ruminating thoughts?
01:30 What do we ruminate about?
02:39 How to stop ruminating thoughts tip 1: Practice self-compassion
02:53 How to stop ruminating thoughts tip 2: Challenge your thoughts
03:57 How to stop ruminating thoughts tip 3: Engage in positive distraction
04:24 How to stop ruminating thoughts tip 4: Cultivate a gratitude practice
04:46 Professional support for rumination disorder

#rumination #stopruminating #ruminatingthoughtshowtostop

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Find out more about Priory's expert in this video. Charlie Carroll is a therapist at the Manchester Wellbeing Centre:

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This video is designed to be informational, but its content is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or a loved one are experiencing difficulties with your mental health, please contact a medical professional or a licensed mental health provider for tailored advice for you.

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Priory is the leading independent provider of mental healthcare and adult social care in the UK. We have two divisions, which together support the needs of over 35,000 people every year. We currently treat more than 70 different conditions through a nationwide network of over 300 facilities.

Our purpose is to empower each person in our care to take steps towards a healthy future and live their lives as positively and independently as possible.

For more information on how Priory can help you, head to our website or call us:
0800 840 3219

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Watch more explainers from Priory's mental health experts 💙

[xzx]

I often think back about embarassing moments and still cringe from them, even though I know (intellectually) that this was in the past and that I'm a different person now.

[nickhunter]

i went for help regarding my mental state off and on for about 4 years. nobody knows what's wrong with me, but this seems the closest I can find. when I feel anxious, music fills my head, thoughts race like there's no tomorrow, negativity takes over, and before i know it, my day is ruined. sometimes it takes a while for this to happen. and other times it happens not long after I wake up. not sure if rumination is the cause for it. but I can say that it's the closest thing I've found that makes sense to me. it often feels like I'm the only one who suffers this. but I can tell my dad had it to, and it ended with a string of events that eventually took his life. I'm thankful for every day that I have, because we never know when it's our turn. be thankful for every day that you have. life is precious

[Kylol]

Thank you for this. Ruminating and anticipatory anxiety was something I struggled with for the longest time, so hearing someone else talk about it makes me feel less alone. My mind is literally a battle field day by day, and I think a part of it has to do with my OCD.

[shyaaammeneen]

To reduce overthinking be careful what you feed your mind. Avoid storing bottled up emotions--share with one person, avoid watching negative social media, fake news channels and avoid constipation as it affects the mind. Your breathing is closely related to the brain [mind] and gives relief from stress and overthinking. For a relaxed mind observe the sensations of your incoming--outgoing breath at the entrance and within the nostrils for 5-10-15 minutes or more. You can sit straight anywhere, eyes closed but avoid fast or very deep breathing. If distracted bring focus back on the breath. Never meditate with expectations. Feel the breath sensations within the nostrils . Keep a reminder and make it a lifetime habit to observe your breath anywhere-anytime before sleep, at the workplace, etc at times with eyes open. Best wishes--Counsellor.

[tobywearnes]

I’ll find a hobby like carpentry to distract myself. But ended up ruminating it while doing up the wood working. It just doesn’t go away

[cryeah]

It’s been 10 years since the triggering event and I find reminders in everything. I know it’ll lessen but the memory will never go away. Thank you for this

[letsbereasonable]

I feel like I had the knowledge I needed at the time, but I repeatedly ignored it or rationalized it away until I basically committed myself to the wrong action

[oliviade]

So enlightening! Had no idea I was/am remunerating for ages and how destructive it was to my mental health.

[klanderkal]

I retired, .. and was the ultimate life altering horror. I ruminate, over wishing I didn't, and how I could have avoided... now, I'm so unhappy, and got depression and dam anxiety.!.. anyway to stop this horror in my head.? 🙏

[Domdeone]

Can tou ruminate not just personal regrets but dysfunctional parents/absent father?

[MehriJane]

I like education videos it changes the focus of my brain!

[Miracle-Needed]

I want to die
life is hell

The biggest difference between PTSD and CPTSD
is that in PTSD the triggers are specific to the trauma.

In CPTSD, the triggers are present in everyday life.
Every person constitutes a potential threat,
every incident carries potential trigger factors.
There's no way out.
It's like being trapped in hell.
At any moment: a bomb could/will go off...

[pattyboucetta]

How about when rumination is in the form of bodily symptoms? Repeating over and over and making us crazy wishing they would go away. Mine are eye flashes, heart skips, and general fearing that becuse some bodily issue occurred years ago, it will again.

[tjdeleon]

I have been working with a therapist and have found that I ruminate all the time even with I sleep. It causes nocturnal panic attacks and insomnia. People tell me to just stop doing it. How do I control it when I am sleeping?

[pjmendoza]

I have this bad. Very very bad . Like it’s my middle name😢. I never knew there was such a thing.

[DanielManaois-yw]

i think i ruminate in my whole life and i need to stop becouse rumination holds me back at anything

[jackieharris]

Could someone tell me what is the symbol shape you tap to put what your watching on the tele please.

[MehriJane]

I know for a fact this isn’t me… something’s I NEVER thought of in my life… I hate this it makes me feel like a criminal… God please help me… I literally was just happy…

[revmark]

Please try speaking with more natural animation, by standing up while presenting.