If you’re like me and you’ve had the word ‘rumination’ bouncing around in your head this past week, you’ll know it’s not a dance with confetti. Rumination can feel like a tumble dryer of worries spinning in our minds. It’s when we get stuck deep diving into thoughts or feelings that can be rough around the edges – the ones that tie our stomachs into knots. Recently, I’ve been caught in a whirlpool of these challenging ruminations about my studies and career. It can feel like a 100-meter race where the finish line keeps moving away. It can feel heavy, right? But you know what? We’ve got this.
Having spent time in the trenches with these pesky ruminations, I’ve found some handy tools to manage them. And I know I’m not alone here – many folks are caught in similar cycles. So, what can we do about it? I’m glad you asked.
Creative illustration of a head with puzzle pieces emerging, symbolizing the process of understanding and reorganizing thoughts through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a common therapeutic approach used in individual and couples therapy in Camden and the Southern Highlands.
At my counselling practice in Camden and the Southern Highlands, I’ve worked with incredible individuals and couples. Together, we navigate these cycles using a blend of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Let’s break down what these are:
1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT is like a helpful friend you call when you’re stuck in a pickle. Understanding that our thoughts, feelings, and actions are a big puzzle. If we sort out the pieces (our thoughts), we can influence the bigger picture (our feelings and actions).
When we’re in the throes of rumination, CBT helps us spot the culprits – the negative thoughts running on a loop in our minds. Together, we challenge these thoughts and swap them out for ones that are friendlier and more in tune with reality. So if you’re worrying about your studies like me, we take a magnifying glass to those thoughts, check if they’re facts or fiction, and replace any unhelpful ones with thoughts grounded in reality.
2. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT, on the other hand, is like a yoga class for our thoughts. It’s all about acknowledging our feelings and thoughts without judging them. It’s like accepting a rainy day – we can’t control the weather, but we can choose to dance in the rain, right?
With rumination, ACT teaches us to notice these thoughts, wave hello, and let them pass by without getting hooked. Imagine you’re by a river, watching leaves (your thoughts) float by without jumping in to redirect their path.
Image of a peaceful individual meditating, embodying the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This mindfulness practice is used in individual and couples therapy in Camden and Southern Highlands to help manage ruminating thoughts and promote mental well-being.
Whether seeking individual or couples therapy in the Southern Highlands or Camden, these two strategies can be a real game-changer in managing ruminations. And remember, it’s perfectly human to have worries and overthink sometimes. The trick is to not let these thoughts steer the ship. We can learn to navigate these waters gracefully with the right tools, like CBT and ACT.
I can’t stress this enough – reaching out for help isn’t a sign of weakness. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It’s a courageous step towards better understanding ourselves and growing stronger. We’re so much more than our worries and ruminations. With proper support and guidance, we can tackle our challenges head-on and come out stronger and more resilient on the other side. Let’s take a stand against rumination, one thought at a time. Here’s to growing, learning, and thriving together. We’ve got this!
