At times we all feel anxious or blue, and research shows that when mood dips or stress is high, it’s common to spend more time in our heads.

And that time in our heads is typically crowded with negative thoughts like:

“I’m not up to the challenge.”

“They don’t like me.”

“Something bad is going to happen.”

Our brains serve up these automatic negative thoughts in an effort to detect and prevent potential threats.

It’s like the brain says: Better safe than sorry.

This can take many forms:

• Thinking traps, like the ones I shared last week
• Rumination: replaying past mistakes, conversations, or problems over and over
• Worry: mentally rehearsing what could go wrong in the future
• Overthinking: repeatedly analyzing a situation without reaching a solution
• Emotional spirals: getting pulled deeper into distress by increasingly negative interpretations

How Stress Distorts Thinking

When stress is high, the brain tends to lean toward safety, not clarity, and that can show up as thinking traps, overthinking, or assuming the worst.

You might find yourself replaying a conversation, trying to solve a problem that won’t resolve, or spiraling emotionally because your mind keeps feeding you the most negative interpretation.

The Cost of Negative Thinking

While this pattern may be trying to keep you safe, the cost can be high.

Negative thinking keeps you playing small.

It drains joy out of daily life.

It can feed anxiety, low mood, and emotional reactivity over time.

Catch it, Check it, Change it

The good news is that there is a research-based way to work with these thoughts more realistically and effectively. That’s exactly what will be covered this week…

FREE LIVE WORKSHOP

June 11 • 11am PT

MENTAL CLARITY UNDER STRESS

How to Exit Thinking Traps, Overthinking, and Emotional Spirals — So You Can Think More Clearly and Feel Better

In this workshop, I’ll teach a 3-step thought-shifting process, originally from CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) called Catch it, Check it, Change it.

Thoughts influence emotions and behavior, and when thoughts become more accurate and constructive, people are often better able to move forward in ways that support growth and well-being.

Join Us Live

This is practical, compassionate work, and there’s no charge to attend.

If you, or someone you know, is tired of getting pulled into thinking traps, overthinking, or emotional spirals, this workshop is a place to start.

You can save your seat here.