{"id":12449,"date":"2021-04-16T10:30:57","date_gmt":"2021-04-16T10:30:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marlacummins.com\/stage2026\/?p=12449"},"modified":"2024-02-21T17:39:38","modified_gmt":"2024-02-21T22:39:38","slug":"adhd-overthinking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marlacummins.com\/stage2026\/adhd-overthinking\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Strategies ADHD Adults Can Use to Stop Ruminating"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you landed here, and have not yet read Part 1-Here Is the First Step You Can Take to Stop Your ADHD Rumination<\/a>, I encourage you to read that first. As an understanding of what may be contributing to your tendency to ruminate will inform which of the strategies below you decide to try.<\/p>\n

Then come back to this article, and take your time exploring the tips below. Remember, these are only suggestions. So, try the ones that spark your interest and you think may help. And don’t forget to give yourself enough time to experiment. That is, don’t give up if it doesn’t work the way you want right away.<\/p>\n

Ready?<\/p>\n

Journaling Can Help You Manange Your Rumination<\/h2>\n

Once you’re ready to unpack your thoughts<\/strong>, you’ll want to decide the best way to do this.<\/p>\n

Journaling<\/strong> is one way to temper the cacophony of thoughts in your head because, as Dr. Pennebaker, author of\u00a0Writing to Heal, notes \u201cby writing, you put some structure and organization to those anxious feelings<\/strong>.\u201d And this may help you decrease the time you spend \u201coverthinking hypotheticals\u201d \u2013 ruminating.<\/p>\n

Also, you know your ADHD brain can be a \u201cmessy\u201d place. ? Engaging in a journaling process can also help you clarify your thoughts<\/strong>\u00a0and feelings<\/strong>. As, by writing your ideas down, you can organize them and make better sense of them. Ultimately then, getting in touch with how you\u2019re feeling. This clarity may lead to less rumination<\/strong>, as well.<\/p>\n

Last, you may often try to solve problems using your left-brain analytic capabilities. Using your right brain can help you be more creative and intuitive in problem-solving<\/strong>. And writing engages your right brain. So, if the source of your rumination is a problem you\u2019ve decided you want to solve, journaling can help you\u00a0do this in a more creative and intuitive way<\/strong>. And, yes, lead to less rumination.<\/p>\n

Process Aloud with a Trusted Person<\/h2>\n

You may find, like many adults with ADHD, you are an external processor. While journaling is one way to externalize your thoughts, you might do your best thinking when you can talk aloud. As a way to manage your rumination<\/strong>, processing aloud with someone else can help because in the process<\/strong>:<\/p>\n