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Worry and rumination

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Stuck in a loop of worrying thoughts? Here’s how to stop it

Dwelling on your difficulties might feel like problem-solving, but it can be pernicious. There are tools to stop the habit

by Megan L Rogers

A woman on a laptop in a modern café with wall art, a large cactus and pendant lights above.

Worry and rumination

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What if your worry problem is really a planning problem?

Clinicians have long recognised the link between worry and planning. New research asks what this means for managing anxiety

by Paul B Sharp

Photo of a woman in a floral shirt, appearing deep in thought with her hands clasped near her face.

Cognitive and behavioural therapies

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Instead of wrestling with self-defeating thoughts, try this

When your own thoughts discourage and undermine you, it’s easy to get tangled. A change of strategy could get you past it

by Joe Oliver & Kristy Potter

A woman seen from behind talks on a mobile phone while distractedly running her hand through her hair

Worry and rumination

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If thinking is rational, what makes overthinking irrational?

A philosophical perspective on overthinking offers fresh insights into the mental processes involved in anxiety and OCD

by Pablo Hubacher Haerle

Photo of hands nervously fidgeting with fingers in focus, soft background of dark jeans visible.

Worry and rumination

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Here’s how to take back your life from long-term worrying

Long after they’ve gone, stressors can cause harm to your health. These psychological techniques offer a powerful defence

by Dane McCarrick & Daryl O’Connor

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Worry and rumination

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Worry is an unhelpful friend and a shoddy fortune-teller

Worry is emotionally distressing, messes with our thinking, and makes us miss out on the things that matter. Dump it fast

by Lucas LaFreniere

Photo of a man in a yellow jacket opening a front door, with blinds on a window in a dimly lit room.

Anxiety

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What to do when your urge for reassurance has gone too far

The need for constant reassurance can show up like a persistent itch. Follow these steps for a more lasting peace of mind

by Matt Huston

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Worry and rumination

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Should you confront your worries or try to banish them?

Psychotherapists have long believed it’s a bad idea to suppress worrisome thoughts, but new research is prompting a rethink

by Shayla Love

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Worry and rumination

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Rehashing your problems with friends can turn into a bad habit

Although ‘co-rumination’ bolsters relationships in some ways, it also distracts from other, better coping methods

by Shayla Love

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Resilience and flexibility

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Why some people are at higher risk of ‘stress contagion’

Our stress levels don’t rise and fall in isolation. Grasping the social side of stress could help us manage it better

by Shihan Li

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Emotion regulation

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Why it might not help – and could hurt – to brace for the worst

When awaiting a potentially stressful update or event, do you assume it won’t go your way? There may be better options

by Ella Moeck