How do I stop ruminating over my narcissistic ex?

Here are 12 useful tips to help teach you how to stop ruminative thinking.

1. Set a Time Limit.
2. Write Down Your Thoughts.
3. Call a Friend.
4. Distract Yourself.
5. Identify Actionable Solutions.
6. Understand Your Triggers.
7. Recognize When You’re Ruminating.
8. Learn to Let Go.

Does a narcissist ruminate?

Narcissists report higher anger in the face of transgressions, such as an interpersonal rejection (Twenge & Campbell, 2003). Further, Krizan and Johar (in press, Study 3) found that narcissistic entitlement is associated with rumination.

How do I stop ruminating in a relationship?

Tips for addressing ruminating thoughts

1. Distract yourself. When you realize you’re starting to ruminate, finding a distraction can break your thought cycle.
2. Plan to take action.
3. Take action.
4. Question your thoughts.
5. Readjust your life’s goals.
6. Work on enhancing your self-esteem.
7. Try meditation.
8. Understand your triggers.

How to stop rumination?

If you want to stop ruminating you have to understand what rumination really is and how it works. Rumination is the mental habit of overthinking about the past. For example: Dwelling on past mistakes. Replaying other people’s offenses against you. Obsessing over your flaws and weaknesses.

Is it okay to be distracted from an obsession?

Consistent with what was said above about distraction, as long as a person isn’t trying to force the obsession out of their awareness, distraction is okay, and can even be helpful. But distraction is never a replacement for the clear decision to stop ruminating.

Why do people ruminate when feeling helpless?

But, because helplessness is such an uncomfortable feeling, many people get in the habit of ruminating as a way to temporarily alleviate the painful feeling of helplessness and feel more in control. Of course, this sense of control is an illusion. And the relief from helplessness is only temporary.

How do you define rumination in psychology?

I define rumination as any type of mental engagement with the obsession, and this includes directing attention toward it. The goal is not to engage with the obsession at all . When people direct their attention toward the obsession, they remain anxious, and they most often slip into trying to figure it out.