Wellness tip: Understanding and Challenging Unhelpful Thinking Styles

Our minds are powerful storytellers, but sometimes they tell tales that hinder rather than help.

Unhelpful thinking styles, also known as cognitive distortions, are habitual, biased ways of interpreting events that can fuel anxiety, low mood, and self-doubt.

Common distortions include:

• All-or-Nothing Thinking: Viewing situations in black-and-white terms, such as "If I'm not perfect, I've failed."
• Catastrophising: Expecting the worst-case scenario to happen.
• Mental Filtering: Focusing solely on the negative aspects of a situation, ignoring the positives.
• Personalisation: Blaming yourself for events outside your control.

Recognising these patterns is the first step toward change. Once identified, you can challenge them by asking:

• What evidence supports or contradicts this thought?
• Is there an alternative, more balanced perspective?
• What would I say to a friend experiencing this thought?

This process, known as cognitive restructuring, helps reframe negative thoughts into more realistic ones, reducing their emotional impact. Over time, practicing this technique can lead to improved mental well-being and resilience.

Remember, thoughts are not facts. By challenging unhelpful thinking styles, you can cultivate a more compassionate and balanced inner dialogue.