Negative Thinking as a Habit

“I’ve had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.” — Mark Twain

How negative thinking can take over your life and what to do about it

Automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) are a form of cognitive distortion — thoughts that pop into the mind out of habit rather than in response to your actual feelings about a situation. They often take the form of negative self-talk, which can appear without you even being aware of forming a thought. They’re often irrational and harmful to our mental well-being.

ANTs are your first thoughts when you have a strong feeling or reaction to something — like a reflex rather than free thinking. They’re persistent and learned, often repeating themes such as danger or fear. This pattern is common in anxiety and depressive thinking.

Sound familiar? Why does it matter?

Negative automatic thoughts can generate emotions such as anxiety, sadness, frustration, guilt, anger, or unworthiness.

“Making a mental shift is a way to combat your anxiety and stress, or snap out of winding thoughts.” — Healthline.com

Through hypnotherapy

Through hypnotherapy, we recognize, heal, and reorient automatic negative thinking — replacing it with the kind and constructive consideration you need.

---

Ready to break the habit? Book your first session — $100, online, or explore my free hypnosis sessions on YouTube. If you’d like to go deeper, ask about the four-week Break the Negative Thought Loop Program.