Key points

Rumination involves focusing on problems or worries and the negative emotions they stir up.

Rumination is linked to negative mental and physical health outcomes.

We can learn to manage rumination in the moment, as well as proactively prevent it from occurring.

Mindfulness is a powerful way to train our brains away from rumination and back onto the present moment.

Many of our daily thoughts are repetitive. We tend to think about the same things day after day, including ways to meet our basic needs, plans for our days, and our relationships. These types of repetitive thoughts aren’t problematic or cause for concern; indeed, they are how life gets done!

Other repetitive thoughts—sometimes called obsessive thoughts, looping thoughts, or rumination—are more difficult to manage

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