Friday Fix: Dealing with Unhelpful Thoughts

Listen to the Podcast Episode

The Verywell Mind Podcast

Key Points

• Our brains are hardwired to alert us to potential dangers and prevent us from making mistakes. This can be helpful, but it can also lead to unhelpful thoughts.
• Unhelpful thoughts can be self-critical, negative, or even irrational. They can make us feel anxious, depressed, or stressed.
• We don't need to believe everything we think. We can choose how we respond to our thoughts.

How to Respond to Unhelpful Thoughts

• Don't try to fight or suppress your thoughts. This will likely make them worse. Instead, acknowledge your thoughts and let them go.
• Challenge your thoughts. Ask yourself if there is evidence to support your thoughts. Are you really as bad as you think you are? Will you really fail?
• Consider talking to a therapist. If you are struggling to deal with unhelpful thoughts on your own, a therapist can help you identify the root of your thoughts and develop coping mechanisms.

Editor's Note

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