Rumination is defined as a focused attention on the symptoms of one’s distress, and on its possible causes and consequences, as opposed to its solutions. In other words, it’s simply repetitively going over a thought or a problem without doing anything about it. Our thoughts keep us stuck in the same, very uncomfortable and painful place.
We all ruminate sometimes, yes. Women are especially prone to it. When people are depressed, they typically ruminate about feeling inadequate or worthless. And when people are in pain, they ruminate about feeling hopeless and helpless. The repetition and these feelings raise anxiety, and anxiety raises the perception of pain. And, that is how we form looping thoughts that keep us stuck in the circle of pain and despair. This is the rule of the mind – WHAT YOU FOCUS ON, YOU GET MORE OF.
When you break the loop and let go of those thoughts, you take control in your hands, and then you can start healing.