311. How to stop ruminating

The podcast episode delves into the concept of rumination, distinguishing it from simple overthinking, and explores its connections to conditions like OCD and depression. The host shares personal experiences with rumination, describing it as a mental "claw machine" that grabs onto various anxieties. The episode further explains the reasons behind rumination, such as problem-solving attempts, coping with difficult emotions, and struggling with uncertainty. It introduces metacognition and cognitive diffusion as tools to manage ruminating thoughts, and also suggests mindfulness and dedicating specific "worry time" as potential strategies. The host answers listener questions about positively reframing rumination, dealing with ruminating thoughts about an ex, and differentiating rumination from productive problem-solving.