These thoughts are good examples of cognitive distortions — also known as “thinking traps.” They can be easy to fall into and may not be rational. But irrational or not, thoughts affect how a person ...

“I already messed up my plan by eating a piece of cake, so I might as well start my diet over again on Monday!” “I have a really bad headache. Could this be a brain tumor?!” “My coworker never says ...

A colleague once shared with me the observation that much of the health-related suffering humans experience originates between the ears. A complete understanding of the various factors influencing ...

Your clever brain can work overtime building worst-case scenarios. Here’s how to recognize and avoid common thinking traps so you don't get stuck That was a trick question. The way to a healthy mental ...

Last week I asked the question “What are you tolerating?” I wrote of one toleration where people habitually come into meetings late. That results in everyone else having to wait around, push back the ...

All of us have a near-constant stream of thoughts running through our minds. Much of the time, these thoughts are neutral, and sometimes they’re even pleasant. The thoughts we’ll be dealing with in ...

Woman with her open hand pressed against her forehead. Source: Claudia Barbosa / Pexels Parenting is filled with moments of joy, but it also comes with its share of stress, doubt, and overwhelming ...

Zulfi, a coaching client of mine, is the envy of many of his peers. As the general manager of a large, successful business, his work is one of the CEO’s core priorities. He does good work and is ...

As an executive coach, I often listen to leaders talk about their direct reports and what they wish individuals and teams would do differently. It’s not uncommon for my client to tell stories to ...

Part of what can make social media feel so miserable is a sense of losing control: not knowing how hours of time have evaporated while watching videos; obsessing over why someone has read a message ...