PEACE, QUIET, & TRANQUILITY

 

The problem with "clearing your mind" and finding inner peace is that for so many people of us mental health symptoms are hard to silence. One common anxiety symptom is "rumination." Rumination is that unconscious behavior where you fixate, repeat, and rapidly recycle the same thoughts and situations in your mind. Rumination is different than focus. Focus is helpful and guides your choices. Rumination is your mind fixating on something that is not helping you reach a goal. 

What can you do to stop ruminating?

1. Mindful Breathing

2. Guided Meditation

3. Distraction (book, TV, video game)

4. Exercise

5. Repeating Your Mantra: Try, "I can find peace. I can find quiet." slowly to yourself while breathing.

With rumination it can be a moment of breath, or many moments of other activities and it can return. Know that it is a common, yet unfortunate symptom of anxiety. Your therapist can help you strategize and reduce rumination should it be bothersome.