Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

Rumination: How to Disrupt Obsessive Thoughts

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Apr 18, 2022

Learn how to disrupt obsessive thoughts and navigate rumination with Dr. Rick and Forrest Hanson. They explore the origins of rumination, strategies to disengage from negative thought loops, and the power of thought acceptance. Discover ways to break free from rumination and promote self-compassion for a healthier mental state.

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INSIGHT

Rumination Definition

Rumination, derived from "ruminants," means chewing mental cud, focusing on negative thoughts.
Unlike cows, humans don't digest ruminated thoughts; they reinforce negative material.

INSIGHT

False Productivity of Rumination

Rumination offers a deceptive sense of productivity, even if unproductive.
It can feel like problem-solving or anxiety release, though it's neither.

INSIGHT

Functions of Rumination

Rumination can serve as avoidance of uncomfortable feelings.
It can also maintain attachment to lost relationships or situations.

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It’s normal and healthy for us to try to process our experiences emotionally, but sometimes during that process we find ourselves getting stuck on the same painful memory, anxiety, or disturbing thought. This frustrating experience, known as rumination, is a common psychological challenge that is both discouraging and unhelpful.

On this episode of Being Well, Dr. Rick and Forrest Hanson spell out what rumination is, where it comes from, and how it functions in the brain. They then explore what practices and strategies we can use to identify rumination when it comes up, and move through an obsessive thought compassionately and effectively.

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Key Topics:

0:00: Introduction

2:25: How do we define rumination?

7:45: What do we get out of rumination?

13:30: Distinguishing rumination from grieving

16:30: Where rumination comes from in people

18:40: The default mode network

22:30: Ways to disengage the default mode network

25:50: Strange attractors, Krishna, and the Gopis

30:35: Thought acceptance and noting

33:15: Recurring themes of your rumination

37:10: Novelty

38:45: Self-constructing invites rumination, self-acceptance undermines it

47:05: A quick walkthrough for dealing with a negative thought

53:00: Recap

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