How to stop ruminating like a cow

In three simple steps

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Cows ruminate. It helps them break down their food and extract all the nutrients they need.

Humans ruminate.

It’s the process of continuously thinking about the same thoughts, which tend to be sad or dark, is called rumination. It’s unhelpful.

A habit of rumination can be dangerous to your mental health, as it can prolong or intensify depression as well as impair your ability to think and process emotions.

You are not a cow.

Here is how to stop ruminating in three simple steps.

The Three Cs

Catch

The first thing to do is to become self-aware that you are having negative, ruminating thoughts. This can be the hardest bit because it is a habit and many of our habits are unconscious.

We are often more aware of our emotions. If you find yourself having a negative emotion then that’s the opportunity to take a step back and ask yourself why might that be? Have you been ruminating on the run up to feeling that way?

Are you worrying more about ‘what IF’ rather than ‘what IS’?

Unlike cows who live only in the present, we spend most of our time either reflecting on the past or imagining…