This female thought pattern makes stress worse.
You gotta learn to let go
✔ A habit you need to break.
Rumination: going over a problem in your mind. Studies show that this process is very common among women.
✔ Why it’s a problem.
Rather than providing useful insights, obsessing over a stressful scenario will only make it worse. When you’re worried, negative thoughts and memories are more accessible in the brain, and you’ll use them to interpret the thing you’re ruminating about. This interferes with your ability to solve dilemmas, so they persist, which can lead to more stress and, eventually, depression.
✔ How to stop the rumination cycle.
Don’t even try to solve a problem when you’re all worked up about it. Distract yourself by calling a friend or digging into a book. Then later, when you’re calmer, throw yourself into problem solving. Write down pros and cons of strategies, then create a plan of action. For example, if you receive a lukewarm review at work, enroll in a course that will improve your skills. Getting the issue out of your head and finding a solution will break the grip that stress has on your mind and body.
