Test: What’s your worry weak spot?

There’s a fine line between being prepared and catastrophising, and it’s easy to drift across it during times of anxiety or stress. You can also be vulnerable to getting stuck in a worst-case scenario mindset if you’re a conscientious type, as catastrophising can masquerade as being mentally prepared for challenges along the way.

The downside is that catastrophising is rarely constructive thinking and it’s always a drain on mental energy – in the end, you’re spending precious emotional resources on something that hasn’t happened and, in most cases, never will. When you mentally live in the future, you can miss what’s going on in the here and now. Catatrophising can become a habit, creating a stress response that we rely on to power through the day, but ultimately it undermines resilience.

The first step to breaking the cycle is identifying when you’ve lost perspective and a sure sign is suddenly feeling anxious or stressed. Try to resist the urge to get sucked into your thinking by distracting yourself – change your environment, get moving, do something engaging but relaxing. Your key to stepping off the emotional rollercoaster is to factor in moments of calm throughout the day. You might miss the drama but in the long term, you’re creating the ideal conditions for more contentment, connections and creative thinking.