Lost In Thought: The Perils Of Rumination By Susan Nolen-Hoeksema

Rumination vs. Mindfulness Lost in Thought: The Perils of Rumination written by Susan Nolen-Hoeksema expounds upon the negative effects of rumination and provides coping mechanisms to the problem of obsessive negative thinking. She argues rumination is obsessive negative thinking about the problems one is having, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and maladaptive coping mechanisms (excessive drinking and binge eating, for example.) As she defines it, I am a ruminator. For me, being mindful of my thought patterns and behaviors is helpful in preventing and curbing negative thinking. Nolen-Hoeksema offers studies to prove that rumination leads to depression, and that, in addition, people suffering with depression are more likely to ruminate;

Rumination keeps you preoccupied with the problem and not the solution. Nolen-Hoeksema further explains that rumination inhibits good problem-solving methods and can lead to isolation. My rumination is often over friendships, as in when I get into an argument with a friend. An argument with a friend may have me lost in negative thoughts for weeks. I think about why the argument happened, all the things I could have done to prevent it, and how I could make it better. I am slow to find a good solution to the argument, as Nolen-Hoeksema predicts. My solution, after much trial and error over the years, now is to confide in friends (those whose judgment I trust) about what happened, where my blame lies, and how I can make amends for my part

A preventative measure would be learning to master mindfulness. Mindfulness is paying attention to ones life events as well as patterns of behavior and thoughts. During the last few years I have learned to pay careful attention to the behaviors and thoughts that cause me to ruminate. With the support and advice of others whom you trust, you can master the practice of mindfulness. Sometimes we do not see our actions, and the signals they send to others as clearly as a friend might. Mindfulness is important because our behaviors affect both our thoughts and feelings, and vice versa, like Professor Nolen-Hoeksema agrees. I realized that every time I canceled on a friend, I ruminated over it. I no longer cancel on friends no matter what I am feeling. If we understand what causes us to act or think in a way not helpful to us, we can prevent such thinking and acting by bringing these patterns into the forefront of our minds and then changing them with help from either a professional or