The ability to shift your focus can be a vital skill. If you’ve learned to shift your focus away from stress in your life to stave off rumination, here are some ways to go a little deeper with this skill. These largely unconscious mental habits are psychological defense mechanisms against stress that often create more stress than they relieve because they create other issues that can become problematic. When we are aware of these tendencies, we can consciously choose another path. When you are operating from a place of stress, you may not be thinking as clearly or handling new challenges as efficiently. This can create more stress and make it difficult to maintain a positive attitude, creating a downward spiral of stress.