The human mind, with its vast complexities, can tread a fine line between pure genius and rumination. While rumination can feel like you are stuck or repeat or for those of you in my age group, like the needle stuck on a record, it can also be the foundation for monumental “Eureka!” moments. When I was writing my thesis many years ago, I kept going back to the same script over and over again, tweaking bits until it was good enough to earn my doctorate.
I’m learning to play piano and when I keep repeating the same scale over and over, until I get it right, this repetition can lead me to better piano playing; I hope! When I think of the repetitive loop I find myself in when practicing, it made me think of the repetitive loop of rumination, which can be good and bad.
I think most people associate rumination with negativity, something that you want to get rid of. But it can be argued that it is this same obsessive thinking style that serves as an asset to inventors and creatives, helping them to make discoveries..
The term “rumination” is borrowed from the behaviour of ruminant animals, like cows, which chew their cud repetitively. In the realm of human psychology, it describes the act of mentally “chewing over” distressing thoughts or events, leading to heightened emotions and often, mental fatigue.
Research from institutions like Stanford University offers illuminating insights into this phenomenon. Their work suggests that individuals experiencing depressive ruminations show increased neural activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex (sgPFC), particularly when synchronized with the default mode network (DMN). To visualize this, imagine the brain as an intricate dance floor. The DMN is the central stage, and the sgPFC is a lead dancer. When the lead dancer goes off-rhythm, it can disrupt the entire performance.
However, rumination isn’t solely problematic. Historical figures like Leonardo da Vinci or Beethoven exhibited patterns of obsessive focus. Da Vinci’s relentless ruminations on human anatomy led to his groundbreaking anatomical sketches. Beethoven, despite his deteriorating hearing, ruminated over his compositions, resulting in some of the most profound symphonies ever created. Their ruminative patterns, instead of being roadblocks, were catalysts for genius. Hope for me yet and my piano playing!
Break the Cycle of Rumination
The understanding of rumination’s neural pathways provides us with tools to disrupt and manage it:
Mindfulness and Meditation: Grounding yourself in the present moment can derail ruminative trains of thought. Techniques like focused breathing, body scans, or guided imagery can divert attention away from distressing thoughts and anchor the mind in the present.
Physical Activity: Engaging in exercises, be it aerobic activities like running or more meditative forms like yoga, can release endorphins, acting as natural mood elevators and breaking the cycle of negative thinking. Quick rule of thumb, when you realise you are ruminating, go and do something different, and physical.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): This structured form of therapy helps individuals recognize and challenge their patterns of negative thinking, offering tools to replace them with more constructive thought processes.
Journaling: Writing down ruminative thoughts can externalize and objectify them, making them easier to address and manage.
Setting Aside Rumination Time: Allocating a specific time of day, say 15 minutes in the evening, solely for rumination can provide a controlled outlet for these thoughts, preventing them from spilling over into other parts of the day.
Distract, distract, distract: Sometimes, the simple act of diverting your attention to a book, movie, or hobby can break the cycle of repetitive thinking. When you catch yourself ruminating, and awareness is key as you c an be ruminating for a long time, upsetting your mood, before you become aware; go do something else. Anything, just do something different.
In conclusion, while the propensity to ruminate is an intrinsic part of the human psyche, it’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can lead to distress and mental fatigue; on the other, it has the potential to be the bedrock of unparalleled creativity.