The theory is that if you think about a problem long enough, you can come up with a solution. It is an appealing idea to believe that if you focus on an issue long enough, it will go away. This approach to dealing with things is called rumination. Rumination, simply put, is the thinking error that you can ponder and worry all your troubles away. The reason that this is a thinking error is because it doesn’t work for every problem. Sure, sometimes it works, but that only serves to convince us that it can work all the time.
There are some very complex problems in life that require a lot of planning and concern to come to terms with. I am not preaching anti-thinking by any means. Rather, I am saying that some issues take a long time to solve. Some are even unsolvable. With that in mind, it is really important to recognise when we need to stop thinking, when we need to switch off the power to the problem solving department and tell the occupants to go home.
Overthinking is exhausting
Take it from a world class ruminator, over thinking is very tiring. It inevitably wearies the body and the soul. I realise that there might be some lucky non ruminating people reading this, who are thinking ‘Then stop thinking for a while.’ The problem with this advice is that it is easier said than done. Thinking gives us the false reassurance that if we worry enough, we will remain in control. Not thinking can be as scary to a ruminator as over-thinking.
You will be happy to know then, that rumination and worry do not have to remain unchallenged within the control room of your brain. The feared enemy of rumination is simply being able to be fully in each moment at any given time. Another name for this ability is mindfulness.
Mindfulness – the enemy of rumination
Mindfulness is a meditation habit that teaches you to stop ruminating and focus on the here and now. There are lots of great free guided mindfulness meditations online from many reputable organisations that will teach you the basics. Meditating needs only ten minutes a day to start being beneficial. Like a large ship that needs time to turn around though, so too with the mind. Mindfulness will become slowly but surely more beneficial, the more regularly you do it.
Whilst mindfulness starts as a routine meditation habit, the lessons it teaches you in those specific moments are then able to be applied in everyday moments. When you are meditating, for instance, you will notice that the mind does not like to be ignored, especially since it has been worrying over things since forever. In the middle of a peaceful moment, random thoughts will come to you about something you haven’t done or a problem you haven’t fixed. Before you know it, you are ruminating again. Mindfulness teaches you to acknowledge the thought or worry and let it go like a leaf on a stream.
Application
This simple idea, once learned, can be applied in moments when you are meant to be relaxing and enjoying yourself. If you are constantly worried about work on monday, even though you are prepared, it will take all the joy out of your weekend. Through mindfulness, we become more aware of when our mind is overthinking and can then redirect it to better things.
Not only this, but when your exhausted mind finally gets to be empty for even a few minutes, the genuine rest you will feel is a rare thing. It is a skill worth developing, if for no other reason than to give yourself a little peace.
This post is not about teaching mindfulness, but rather convincing you of its benefits. For more specific directions on how to be mindful, check these links out:
Balance – Mindfulness is the key » The Good The Bad and The Unrelated
Mindfulness – A safe place » The Good The Bad and The Unrelated
Daily mindfulness
Taking your time, breathing deeply, acknowledging those pesky thoughts when they intrude and being in each moment can be practiced throughout your day. When you sit to eat, enjoy each mouthful and notice each bite and sensation. When you walk, focus on the ground beneath your feet and the wind in your hair, whilst all the while letting those thoughts float away with the clouds. You will be surprised by how many wonderful moments you were missing while ruminating.
Changing the ruminating habit of a lifetime is not easy. There is a level of muscle memory related to worrying, which is why it is good to set time aside each day and commit to a period of time to learn the skill. Like any exercise, the benefits will build slowly, but they are worth it. When I get exasperated at all the worry and exhaustion in my brain and sit to be mindful, there is a clear sense of peace that comes over me at retreating to my safe place.
Thinking is addictive because it tricks us into believing that we can always be in control. Overthinking is the thief of time, because it steals the present moment from right under our noses. It is amazing, when you empty your mind of worry, how much you notice around you. Birds singing, the dog snoring quietly at your feet, the breeze in the trees and the world moving busily about you.
Related
10 MIN GUIDED MINDFULNESS MEDITATION – JON KABAT ZINN – YouTube
Rumination. A great word not to waste mind power or time on 🙂
So true, Roscoe, but sometimes hard to stop