Selective Attention
Anxiety vs Suffering
Thought-Action Fusion
Imperfect Friend
Automatic Thoughts
The Anxiety Cycle
Process Over Outcome
Productive vs Unproductive Worry
Mental Reps
Perfectionism to Self-Compassion
“Just Think Positive”
Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast
Externalize Anxiety
Perfecting Anxiety
Thought Defusion
Acceptance vs White Knuckling it
Shifting to the Present and the External
Keeping Anxiety on its Leash
Intrusive Thoughts
Safety Behaviors
Rumination is Active
Reassurance Seeking
Challenging Thoughts Too Much
Out of Control
Catastrophizing
Insight and Anxiety
Anxiety is Normal
Short-Term Comfort
Anxiety Loves to Stay Vague
No Fear
The Child Brain, The Parent Brain, & The Grandparent Brain
Rumination is Active
Rumination isn’t something that happens to us. Instead, rumination is a choice we make to actively engage with a thought.
The process first starts with an automatic thought. For example, “What if I blush on stage?” This is not rumination yet. This is simply just a thought that randomly popped up, outside of our control.
These thoughts can be compelling though. They seem important. It feels reckless not to engage with the thought.
In this case, rumination might look like trying to figure out how not to blush or reduce the perceived dangers of blushing:
- “I wonder if there’s any articles online offering tips on how not to blush”
- “I can ask the organizer to turn down the lights”
- “Maybe I should call in sick”
Rumination is a choice to put energy toward a thought. Rumination is circular and counterproductive, even though initially it feels productive and actually dangerous not to engage with.
The way to stop ruminating is to simply (not easily) stop putting energy into the automatic worry thoughts. Leaving the question it poses unanswered. Not ignoring it or trying to push it away. Not trying to convince it of anything. Just letting the automatic thoughts do their thing without having a conversation with them. This of course takes practice!
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Weekly thoughts on anxiety + Event updates
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Understanding & Calming Panic Attacks
Overcoming Worry & Rumination
Helping Kiddos Stand Up to Anxiety
Rumination is Active
Rumination isn’t something that happens to us. Instead, rumination is a choice we make to actively engage with a thought.
The process first starts with an automatic thought. For example, “What if I blush on stage?” This is not rumination yet. This is simply just a thought that randomly popped up, outside of our control.
These thoughts can be compelling though. They seem important. It feels reckless not to engage with the thought.
In this case, rumination might look like trying to figure out how not to blush or reduce the perceived dangers of blushing:
- “I wonder if there’s any articles online offering tips on how not to blush”
- “I can ask the organizer to turn down the lights”
- “Maybe I should call in sick”
Rumination is a choice to put energy toward a thought. Rumination is circular and counterproductive, even though initially it feels productive and actually dangerous not to engage with.
The way to stop ruminating is to simply (not easily) stop putting energy into the automatic worry thoughts. Leaving the question it poses unanswered. Not ignoring it or trying to push it away. Not trying to convince it of anything. Just letting the automatic thoughts do their thing without having a conversation with them. This of course takes practice!
Subscribe
Weekly thoughts on anxiety + Event updates
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact