[sarahsweets]

Here's What Happens To Your Body When You Overthink | HuffPost Life
I found this to be very interesting. I think it will change the way I look at the obsessive rumination cycle I get caught up in sometimes.

[TishaBuv]

It depends on the stakes and level of trauma of the situation regarding how much I will ruminate. It is about self protection when in trauma. Sometimes, it’s to repeat something pleasurable to replay a conversation or comment that was nice or funny. I agree it can become emotionally exhausting and take a toll on your health. I can let go and just experience plenty of things that are of little significance and consequence. It’s the very important or traumatic situations that are impossible for me to not dwell and my mind work overtime.

[Fuzzybear]

[Serpentine Leaf]

Thank you SO much for posting this article, Sarahsweets. I'm certainly ruminator. The trouble is that 95% of the time I don't do it on purpose. My mind spirals this way on its own and it's so hard to make it stop. I try visualization techniques like holding up a mental stop sign and redirecting the traffic. I also get physical or try distraction techniques. When I'm calmer I can challenge those thoughts with logic and that almost always works, at least when the thoughts are in the catastrophizing category. But when those thoughts are in the form of self-attack, I find it almost impossible to challenge because I can't help but believe the things my mind is saying about me.

Thanks for posting this article, sarah!

Overthinking is a hard habit to change. I am glad studies have shown the consequences of overthinking to be bad. The worst I think is how it zaps your creativity away (probably because of the negative impact overthinking has on sleep and appetite). I've experienced overthinking first-hand and the analysis-paralysis from overloading my brain with so many "what ifs" esp. this summer. But I am going to change this habit for sure. If we create our reality with what we "think" then I sure as heck don't want to create un-necessary negative consequences for myself, because I over-thought a situation.

[Serpentine Leaf]

Originally Posted by StreetcarBlanche

Thanks for posting this article, sarah!

Overthinking is a hard habit to change. I am glad studies have shown the consequences of overthinking to be bad. The worst I think is how it zaps your creativity away (probably because of the negative impact overthinking has on sleep and appetite). I've experienced overthinking first-hand and the analysis-paralysis from overloading my brain with so many "what ifs" esp. this summer. But I am going to change this habit for sure. If we create our reality with what we "think" then I sure as heck don't want to create un-necessary negative consequences for myself, because I over-thought a situation.

"Analysis paralysis" is the most perfect way I've ever come across to describe what this does to our minds and our lives! Life on its own is hard enough without us sabotaging ourselves with this. But it sure is hard to change a lifetime of habit.

Great post!

[divine1966]

In my observation and experience people overthink and ruminate because and when they have too much free time with nothing to fill it. Too much idle time is not good for mental health. I’d ruminate all day if I didn’t go anywhere and didn’t do anything. I am not saying one should be busy 24/7, no. But having nothing to do for prolonged period of time is certainly promotes idle rumination and obsessing

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by divine1966

In my observation and experience people overthink and ruminate because and when they have too much free time with nothing to fill it. Too much idle time is not good for mental health. I’d ruminate all day if I didn’t go anywhere and didn’t do anything. I am not saying one should be busy 24/7, no. But having nothing to do for prolonged period of time is certainly promotes idle rumination and obsessing

"Idle hands are the devil's workshop"

But seriously, if I'm stuck in a manic rumination it doesn't matter what I'm doing, not doing, etc. My mind races like on a hamster's wheel. Stuck on one subject, then stuck on another subject. The only way I can stop ruminating is by falling asleep. But the ruminating I'm referring to might be slightly different than what this thread is about; I'm not sure.
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Okay, yeah...I just read the article and it refers to what I would call "normal" obsessing or ruminating.

[divine1966]

Originally Posted by BethRags

"Idle hands are the devil's workshop"

But seriously, if I'm stuck in a manic rumination it doesn't matter what I'm doing, not doing, etc. My mind races like on a hamster's wheel. Stuck on one subject, then stuck on another subject. The only way I can stop ruminating is by falling asleep. But the ruminating I'm referring to might be slightly different than what this thread is about; I'm not sure.
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Okay, yeah...I just read the article and it refers to what I would call "normal" obsessing or ruminating.

Yeah it didn’t sound like it was talking about rumination due to legitimate OCD or being manic. Being busy wouldn’t necessarily help there. My husband has OCD and he uses certain strategies he learned over the years to stop the cycle, well plus he takes meds. I think article means like regular ruminating and overthinking not caused by mental illness

[sarahsweets]

Hey @divine1966
I think there is some truth to this. When I was an active alcoholic I isolated and thought, ruminated and drank. I think people with addiction are definitely prone to this and I think it may be one of the reasons why the social aspect of 12 step programs work for some- at least they did for me. My issue is if I do not follow my bedtime routine. I can get myself going and think deep into the night.

Originally Posted by divine1966

In my observation and experience people overthink and ruminate because and when they have too much free time with nothing to fill it. Too much idle time is not good for mental health. I’d ruminate all day if I didn’t go anywhere and didn’t do anything. I am not saying one should be busy 24/7, no. But having nothing to do for prolonged period of time is certainly promotes idle rumination and obsessing