06/05/2026
🧠 Wellbeing Words Series: Rumination
Ever found yourself replaying the same thought, conversation or worry over and over again?
That’s called rumination.
Rumination is when we become stuck in repetitive negative thinking — often focusing on problems, mistakes, worries or “what ifs.”
While reflection can help us learn, rumination usually keeps us trapped in stress, anxiety and low mood.
Common signs include:
• Overthinking past conversations
• Constantly worrying about the future
• Struggling to “switch off” mentally
• Replaying mistakes or regrets
Things that may help:
✅ Notice when it’s happening
✅ Shift attention through movement or activity
✅ Talk things through with someone you trust
✅ Practice mindfulness or grounding techniques
✅ Limit unhelpful scrolling and late-night thinking time
Your thoughts are important — but they are not always facts.
Awareness is often the first step towards better mental wellbeing 💚