Ask an Expert: I Am Constantly Thinking of My Past Mistakes and Regrets. How Can I Get Over This?

Rehashing past mistakes and thinking about all the things you might have done differently in life can keep you stuck in a dark place. When you find yourself dwelling on things that cause you to feel bad, switch the focus to the lesson you've gained from it. Then, engage in an activity that helps you change the channel in your brain.

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Healthy Mind Verywell Mind expert, Amy Morin, LCSW, answered: Rehashing past mistakes and thinking about all the things you might have done differently in life can keep you stuck in a dark place. When you find yourself dwelling on things that cause you to feel bad, switch the focus to the lesson you've gained from it. Then, engage in an activity that helps you change the channel in your brain. Call a friend to talk about something completely different, perform a chore, or engage in a hobby. Get your mind onto something more productive. To learn more about how to stop dwelling on past mistakes, check out this article about rumination. READ NOW READ THESE NEXT How to Get Out of a Rut READ NOW  › Why Some People Are More Prone to Depression Than Others READ NOW  › How to Cope With Your Symptoms After a Traumatic Event READ NOW  › You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Healthy Mind newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. A DOTDASH BRAND 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10036 © 2019 Verywellmind.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy