The Monkey mind is a concept created in the scientific literature to describe how our minds can create a system of interfering, conflicting, and chaotic stream of thoughts into our consciousness. Ruminative thinking typically involves an over-focus on oneself, emotions, and unresolved problems. Sometimes the volume of these thoughts increases whereas other times they are lower and in the background. When we indulge in this style of thinking and become increasingly aware of these thoughts they can create a negative loop pattern. Spontaneous mind wandering is typically associated with self-reflective states that contribute to negative processing of the past, worrying/fantasizing about the future, and disruption of primary task performance.

Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioural therapy have both been shown as useful tools to combat this style of thinking.

Mindfulness

The monkey mind fills one's attention with a constant stream of chatter. Mindfulness draws the person's attention to its goal of keeping the focus on the breath and being more present in the here and now. Mindfulness-based interventions improve ruminative thinking and enhance the level of mindfulness.

CBT

The core skills taught in Mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy are an awareness of thoughts and feelings, control of attention towards thinking patterns, decentering from thoughts to prevent being caught up in them, and the ability to experience present reality as it is. CBT is more behaviour driven and homework is usually prescribed between the therapist and client.