Sometimes, reflecting is good for us. However, there is also a type of brooding that tends to contain negative thoughts and is certainly not good for mental health. Have you experienced it? Come on, find out here.
Contemplating is when one thinks about something continuously and deeply. When what he thinks about is something good, for example ways to stop his bad habits or self-introspection, of course the effect will be good for him.
However, the reflections that we will discuss here are those that contain negative thoughts. These thoughts keep coming back and forth, and are hard to stop, even if the person doesn't want to think about them anymore. This of course can make him feel depressed and haunted by these things.
This is the Cause of Often Contemplating
The habit of contemplating can happen to anyone. However, this is indeed more often experienced by people with certain types of mental disorders, such as OCD, PTSD, depression, alcohol dependence, and eating disorders. Often, this habit exacerbates the condition of his mental disorder.
In one study, brooding was most common in women as a reaction to sadness. As for men, brooding is usually a place to vent emotions when they are angry. Apart from that, one may also reflect frequently for the following reasons:
- Is facing a problem that is beyond his control
- Have the belief that by thinking about something over and over again, he can find a way out of his problem
- Have a history of physical or mental trauma
- Having certain personality characteristics, such as a perfectionist
Here's How To Stop The Habit Of Contemplating
Contemplating with negative thoughts is definitely not a good habit to do. Therefore, this habit needs to be stopped as soon as possible. The following are ways that you can apply to stop contemplating:
1. Distract
When you realize that you are contemplating sad things, try to immediately distract yourself by doing positive things. You can call friends or other family members to share stories to relax your mind.
In addition, you can also do things that can occupy your mind with other things, such as gardening, watching movies, drawing, reading books, or going for a walk outside the house. Seeing photos or videos of beautiful memories can also make you forget negative thoughts.
2. Think of the solution, not the problem
What most people think about when contemplating are problems that have occurred in the past and how to change them. Fixing problems is of course okay, but you have to remember that mistakes that happened in the past can't be changed. You can only move on and avoid that mistake in the future.
Instead of just thinking about past problems or regretting everything that has happened, focus on solutions that you can do now. Try to relax your mind first, then think of a way out of your problem.
Keep in mind that solutions don't always come quickly. So, you need to be patient and not hasty in taking action, yes.
3. Put yourself in a positive environment
A good environment will certainly form a good character. So, try to find a new environment in which there are people who have positive thoughts.
By being in that environment and getting encouragement from them, of course you will be able to interpret an event more positively. As a result, this habit of contemplating will gradually disappear.
4. Learn to love yourself
In order to stop the habit of brooding and avoid its side effects, learn to love yourself. Treat yourself as you would treat others. If you often praise, speak softly, or give gifts to others, do the same to yourself.
Forgive all the mistakes you have made and continue to learn and try not to repeat the same mistakes. It can also increase your self-esteem and make you happier.
5. Do meditation
When you are thinking about something over and over again, find a quiet place and meditate. Clear your mind and focus only on your inhalation and exhalation until you feel calm and at peace.
In addition to stopping the habit of contemplating, meditation can also improve mood and prevent various diseases.
Although brooding may seem trivial, this habit should not be ignored because it can have a negative impact on your mental health condition. Plus, this habit tends to be a waste of time and can interfere with your work.
Therefore, identify the cause of brooding and do the ways above to overcome this habit. If you have trouble stopping it, don't hesitate to consult a psychologist.
