I've just read a PsychCentral article that has introduced to me to the concept of a worry break, a daily 30-minute break dedicated to intense, batched worrying about all the current issues, so that any worries that come to mind during the day can be postponed until the next break and, allegedly, be dealt with more efficiently then.
Have any of you tried this technique? If so, to which extent has it reduced your rumination (or anxiety in general)?
i think this is a great exercise, ive definitely done it on a smaller scale. instead of always trying to escape from anxieties i believe there is merit to letting it consume you briefly. for example IMO when we ruminate we are often not thinking our anxieties through to their conclusion. anxiety is not something people should suppress, but confront
i think everyone ruminates about things that have or will happen, some worse than others. When you think scenarios through to their conclusion oftentimes you realize that even if the worst possible scenario occurs you are going to be okay, etc. 30 mins seems like too long, but everyone is differnt. good thread
It sounds like an exercise adapted from CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) and almost certainly has some merit.
If you have the time and it sounds like a good idea to you then try it and learn from your own experience.
All I would add is try the worry time writing unfiltered straight from your thoughts rather than in your head. The act of writing it out helps to shift the energy out from you and clear the subconscious.
Superlative. Worry is a sick demon. Here is something you won't believe until you are old and wise. Worrying about some terrible event happening is actually more disturbing than if the event happens in real life. Here is why (I think): in the worry cycle, one is trapped and there is no actual danger or living ... just the sickening fictional worry which in no way can be addressed or lived thru. I"m convinced it has a worse mood effect than the real bad news. One can worry about a medical problem, worry themselves to horrible stress, but if it actually happens, you just live it. Life is life; worry is like a nightmare. I'm convinced that hormonally, chemically, neurotransmitter wise, the dread is worse than the actual experience. There is a lot of reality to that. Of course I'm not going to say that worrying about getting ALS is worse than getting it, but more like within a wide range of events, the worry is way worse than the reality for mood and happiness.
Last edited by FellaGaga-52; 12-18-2018 at 11:48 PM.
