COGNITIVE DISTORTIONS: Let's catch this little mind games in action today.

Have you ever felt like your brain is playing tricks on you? today, we are talking about some of the most common cognitive distortions. These sneaky mental shortcuts can lead us astray and mess up with our thoughts. We're going to unravel their mysteries, learn how to spot them, and unleash our inner superhero to conquer their conniving ways!

You're sitting in a café, sipping your coffee, when suddenly your friend walks past without saying hello. The first thing that pops into your mind is, "Oh no! They must be mad at me!" hold your caffeinated horses, because what you just experienced is the classic cognitive distortion called Mind Reading. You assume you know what others are thinking, even without any evidence to support it. But let's put on our detective hats and challenge this distortion. Instead of jumping to conclusions, why not ask your friend, "Hey, is everything okay?" You might discover they were simply lost in their own thoughts, not plotting your demise!

You have a date coming up, and your brain starts shouting, "I just know they won't like me, I will make a fool of myself, I should just cancel." okay seer! This is the fortune teller distortion. It tricks you into thinking you can predict the future, and it's usually not in your favor. It helps to summon your inner comedian! Picture yourself as a stand-up comic performing on a stage. Embrace the absurdity and tell yourself, "Even if I stumble, it'll be an epic punchline!" Humor can be your secret weapon against the gloomy predictions of the fortune teller.

You give a ground shaking presentation at work, and your boss offers constructive criticism. But your brain decides to filter out every positive comment and zoom in on that one criticism. This is filtering, talk about tunnel vision! Pause, and imagine you are looking at a beautiful art gallery, take a step back and admire the entire mental art gallery. Embrace the strengths, successes, and growth opportunities. By broadening your perspective, you resist the urge to filter out the positive strokes and embrace the bigger picture.

Right before an important meeting with the director, you spill some coffee on your shirt and your mind screams, "This is a disaster! My career is over!" You have just entered the realm of catastrophizing. It turns the smallest mishap into a world-ending catastrophe. Ask yourself, "Will this minor spill truly have a catastrophic impact on my life?" Spoiler alert: It won't! Embrace a balanced perspective and remember that life's spills are just minor bumps on the road in the grand adventure of your life.

At a social gathering, you notice people whispering and laughing, and your mind assumes they're talking about you. For a moment you feel like you are starring in your own Tv show. This is called personalization, where you take things too personally and assume you're the center of attention. To break free, consider other reasons for their whispers and laughter. It's likely their conversation has nothing to do with you. So, let's flip the script and focus on enjoying the party! shall we?

While giving a speech, you stumble and your brain shouts, "I'm a failure! I'll never be good at public speaking!" Lord, the overgeneralization distortion. It makes you believe one negative experience defines your entire future. Combat this distortion by seeking evidence to the contrary. Remind yourself of past successes in public speaking or other accomplishments. By challenging overgeneralization, you'll realize that one setback doesn't define your abilities.

Now, here's a little secret, you can use this newfound wisdom to navigate the rest of your week like a pro. As you embark on the week ahead, keep a vigilant eye on your thoughts, emotions, and perceptions. Armed with the superpower of recognizing cognitive distortions, you can catch those sneaky mind games in action. Whether it's the "Mind Reading" on Monday or the "Filtering" on Friday, you're now equipped to identify and challenge these mental tricksters.