Kirsty Ross, clinical psychologist at Massey University in New Zealand said Focusing on the real aspects of a problem and creating a strategic action plan to solve it helps you get rid of “mental chewing gum,” which means overthinking and overthinking possible challenges, says Speech.
Some people tend to think for a long time about potential problems or unpleasant situations that occurred in the past, Ross said. Such obsessive thoughts often lead to a decrease in quality of life and deterioration in performance.
According to the psychologist, people often think about real or hypothetical situations that make them sad, angry, or anxious. But such “mental chewing gum” does not contribute to solving problems, since the future has not yet come and the past is over.
To get rid of obsessive thoughts, the psychologist recommends accepting that rumination is an attempt to cope with emotions. Accurately understanding your own emotions will make it easier for you to find emotional support.
The second step is strategic planning. If there is excessive anxiety about the future, the psychologist recommends that the person create a plan of action to decide if a potentially dangerous or distressing situation arises. It is noted that it is impossible to plan all possible scenarios, so it is worth focusing on only two of them.
Also, according to Ross, it is necessary to consider what causes intrusive thoughts. “Mental gum chewing” can often be a result of stress. A stressed and tired brain is more prone to overthinking, which leads to more stress and creates a vicious cycle of declining physical and emotional health.
Previously, scientists have discovered that procrastination is an important psychological factor.
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Source: Gazeta
Barbara Dickson is a seasoned writer for “Social Bites”. She keeps readers informed on the latest news and trends, providing in-depth coverage and analysis on a variety of topics.