Life provides many opportunities for coping including disappointments, setbacks, and difficulties. How an individual copes is influenced by many a combination of genetics, the environment and culture. For instance, some individuals may be genetically predisposed toward pessimism while others lean towards optimism and resilience. Beyond these influences, short-term rumination and positive distraction play keys roles in health coping behaviors.
An important finding in the study of coping styles in depression was made by Susan Nolen-Hoeksema who differentiated rumination from positive distraction. Even though short-term rumination releases the neurochemical prolactin (the same hormone released in mothers and their infants while nursing), chronic rumination releases stress hormones which tend to worsen depression.
It was discovered that positive rumination is far more effective in coping with challenges in life. This technique involves fully engaging one’s self in positive, meaningful and forward-looking activities or hobbies like travel, reading, writing, sports or music. The point is to engage so deeply in what is enjoyed that it distracts one from the negative towards the positive and happy.
On the other hand, people who engage in long-term rumination tend to remain depressed and exhibit less coping. They tend to focus over and over on what went wrong and the negative consequences that took place. They also catastrophize the future and believe that it will only be bleak and depressive.
Depressive people not only ruminate for extended periods of time, they also maintain a magnified sense of self-consciousness. Focusing on one’s self too much can be not only physically and emotionally unhealthy, it can be bad for the brain. One of the surest ways to deal with depression is to stop focusing on one’s self and help other people.
In terms of coping, there are some options. Short-term rumination may be effective and feel good, but it won’t create lasting results. Positive distraction, on the other hand, is the key to dealing with negative situations in life. Shifting the focus to others can also make all the difference when it comes to effective coping.