This week’s The ZONE is a continuation to last week’s content about Cognitive Reframing/Restructuring. This concept is useful when we recognize how our thoughts and beliefs affect our emotional states, physical conditions, and behaviors. We have found it useful to view this concept as the A-B-C theory. The “A” is the Activating Event, the “B” is the Belief about the activating event and the “C” is the Consequence. For example, the “A” can be eating three pieces of pie or more on Thanksgiving Day which is typically a day of celebration. The “B” may be that because I over ate, I am a terrible, glutenous, irresponsible, bad person. The “C” is, we feel stressed and terrible about ourselves for the rest of the day and beyond. The beliefs about the activating event (A) are what make it stressful. Another way to frame our belief (B) is, on this day of celebration, I choose to embrace the creation of these pies and other foods that reflect the love and traditions of our family and, the consequence (C) may be the feeling of joy and less stress. The implementation of Cognitive Reframing/Restructuring includes awareness and change. Awareness involves learning to recognize the negative and automatic thoughts and, dysfunctional beliefs and noting how these thoughts and beliefs affect our emotional states, physical conditions and behaviors. The change involves becoming aware of this cycle of events and then, if we choose, it is possible to restructure some of the automatic thoughts which will serve to change the way we think, feel, and our behaviors. Learning to restructure our thinking to be adaptive will save much needed energy that will be needed to continue to push forward. In next week’s, The ZONE, we will explore and outline how you can use Cognitive Reframing/Restructuring to preserve our energy.
Key Takeaways
Our beliefs (B), not the activating event (A), is what creates the consequence (C).
Becoming aware of our negative beliefs and dysfunctional thoughts can lead to reducing our stress.
Using the A-B-C theory can help us reframe the future.
Best Practices
Embrace our traditions and celebrations.
Replace old, negative mind chatter with positive thoughts and ideas.
Stop – Breathe - Reflect and Choose.
Things to Limit
Fortune telling.
Thinking that there are “good” and “bad” foods.
Awfulizing.
Quote of the Week
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.”
~ William James
In summary, cognitive reframing/restructuring offers the possibility of experiencing additional joys of the day. We can change, if we desire, some of our thoughts and beliefs once we are aware of their consequences.
Be well,
Dr. Francis L. Battisti, PhD and Dr. Helen E. Battisti PhD
The paraDocs
Check our Welcome Greeting on YouTube
The paraDocs are Dr. Francis L. Battisti, PhD, Psychotherapist, Distinguished Psychology Professor and former Executive V.P and Chief Academic Officer and Dr. Helen E. Battisti PhD, RDN, CDN, Chief Nutrition Officer at SpNOD, Health Promotion Specialist, Research and Clinical Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and former Assistant Professor.
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