How to Stop Ruminating

In this video, author and depression counselor Douglas Bloch discusses how you can break the cycle of endlessly obsessing over a problem.

[heychupacabras]

Thanks so much for posting. I've been watching your videos, and find them to be very inspirational. Ruminating/isolating is something I really struggle with as I'm going through severe depression. It's nice to know there are people out there who want to share. Peace.

[Martin-]

It's so true how you ruminate more when there's nothing else going on in your life. I live alone and my social anxiety stops me connecting with other people, so as a result I spend lots of time alone overthinking everything. It's a vicious circle and I feel like a prisoner trapped in my own head.

[skinnybear]

Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

[Nabooshlove]

I still ruminate as Im doing activities...i hate these obsessive thoughts...

[kennakenna]

This literally eats me alive. Thanks for the help.

[kimwrexxxx]

Can we all just take a minute to thank Douglas for providing this help for free. You're a saint and a wizard. I'm so grateful for you.

[aniruddhkeskar]

Remember everyone has bad memories to ponder on. Every one of us has something we can hold ourselves responsible for or even guilty for. The difference is only a few of us ruminate while others forget. Because we are humans and not saints. Not all our actions could be right. And no body expects you to have them. So be assured that you are normal and just continue with your life

[michelleburl]

I used to ruminate a lot but now not so much because 1. It doesn’t help 2. There’s nothing you can do about stuff that happened in the past, it’s done already. Focus on things that you can change not on stuff you can’t, it’s really that simple.

[TheSazkaz]

Thank you. My thoughts drive me to the brink of insanity sometimes and I've never been able to know how to stop the never ending chatter in my head!

[vileswede]

Hi,

I’m currently going through my worst period of ruminating yet.
Overthinking, worrying, letting my past define me. List goes on along these lines.
You described ruminating very well. A ditch that I’ve dug, and now having trouble to get out of. I’m beating myself up for something that I cannot change. I have even enlarged my thoughts to an uncessesary degree.
I’m in chock that I’ve become my worst enemy. My mind is tearing me down. I’m saddened. Disappointed. Scared.

I have been listening to music today though, and I must say it helped. I had a big smile on my face and my mind was at ease.
I will continue to do so. Focus on music, my biggest interest and hobby, and hope it will continue to help in the long run.

Thank you for this video, Douglas.

[troyootipep]

I wish I discover this channel since I was 14. I could have avoided the darkest and most painful years of my life. Now Im 19 and thank God I have managed to get myself out of the never-ending cycle of negative rumination, anxious thoughts, and intrusive thoughts. But this is way before I came across this channel though.

Now I enjoy having friends, interacting with people, engaging in social activities, and living in the present moment smoothly. Thanks for sharing these techniques with people like me.

[O_wawa]

Awkward moment when you ruminate while trying to watch this video 😪

[gee_ruiz]

I got zero sleep last night, Ruminating, and anxious. I told my self, that I would rest today, but that I wasn’t going to enter my room at all, because that is where I ruminate the most. That’s been helpful for me, I have to fight these thoughts/feelings. Something as simple as leaving your room helps a lot.

[jenibfb]

I live with depression everyday.The talks and advice u give really make sense.
Am grateful to have come across ur videos. Thank you so much, Douglas

[jackjohnson]

Learning to meditate, twice a day is good. Stay away from caffeine too.

[mecrac]

I have been doing this for years and digging myself deeper into depression and I didn't even know there was a name for it until today.

[kevinlogan]

Douglas is one of the most useful human ever. Thank you man. You helped me at my worst

[angusmorrison]

Where have I been that I’m only finding this video Oh. Onward. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[delia]

Thank you for your videos. Just discovered them today. I’m going through a very difficult time right now reflecting on my childhood of bad memories and regrets. The ruminations are every few minutes and it is absolutely exhausting. Trying my best to get out of this hole...
wishing everyone fast healing. We can do it.

[Bigjamez]

Thank you so much Douglas these videos pulled me out of a dark place and helped me manage my conditions . I was so scared and worried I lost my mind . Everything around me felt fake felt foggy, I didn’t know what this was and that anxiety and depression causes these symptoms . I have learned how to acknowledge my symptoms, learn about why and how they are happening, talking positive to myself, not fighting the feelings and just letting them go . I could not thank you enough