Why does bad news get stuck like a broken record?

flyhcoaches
May 24, 2023
2 min read

By Ellen

“What you think about you bring about.” Bob Proctor stated that in the movie, “The Secret.” So, think of pleasant things and good things will come to you, right? Not always. Sometimes all it takes is one bit of bad news and we get stuck on that instead. Why is it that we tend to get stuck in negative thinking patterns, and why do we stay stuck like a broken record in repetitive ruminative thoughts when we know that these thoughts do not serve us well? It's because our brains are trained to respond to danger, even though we may not be in danger, we remain in survival mode until we find a solution.

I recently read an article by Melanie Greenberg, Ph.D., in Psychology Today that explains what is happening in the brain. A study done at Stanford University in July 2015, authored, and published by J. Paul Hamilton and colleagues, concluded that depressed people had increased functional brain connections between two different brain areas:

• The default mode network (DMN) and

• The subgenual prefrontal cortex (PFC)

The DMN is a part of the brain that is active when we self-reflect, worry, daydream, or reminisce, while the subgenual PFC helps to direct the DMN towards reflecting on and trying to solve the problems which the brain considers most pressing or important for survival.

This means the brain is in conflict. The right hemisphere senses a problem while the left hemisphere is trying to solve it. The brain perceives this as a threat and spins it like a broken record, until it's solved.

So how do we solve the conflict? Catch those repetitive thoughts and then try this technique.

Here’s My Relaxation Toolbox Challenge:

I challenge you to try this 5-10 minute relaxation technique.

● Start by crossing your ankles in a seated position

● Extend your arms out with palms of your hands facing each other

● Then turn hands so that your thumbs are now facing down, and your palms are facing out

● Cross one wrist over the other and interlock your fingers

● Bring your clasped hands up to your chest

● Hold this position and breath slowly with your eyes closed.

● Remain in this position until you experience a peaceful shift

Have your thoughts quieted down or are they still spinning? Write to me & share your success. I love hearing success stories. If you have not felt a shift in your thoughts after practicing this for one week, schedule an appointment with me to cope better with the stress in your life.

https://myrelaxationtoolbox.com/

With love & gratitude

Ellen Sklaver

617-750-4830