What is Cognitive Wellness?

Cognitive Wellness is making the decision to create and keep healthy thoughts in our mind.

Many times people who struggle with mental health, self-doubt, and low self-esteem, live in a daily life of negative thoughts. They may wake up one morning, feeling extremely depressed and begin to think, what is wrong with me? Then these racing thoughts enter their mind with all of the reasons there's something wrong with them. In this situation, their mind is acting as an enemy, pulling them farther and farther into depression.

I use the example of someone who is depressed may feel like someone who is inside a box that is closed and locked. They are screaming at the top of their lungs, but nobody can hear them. It's an awful feeling. But for most people they do carry a key to get outside of that box. I'm not saying that life is perfect and they will never feel sad but they do have a key to feel somewhat better.

Cognitive wellness is about recognizing our distorted and negative thoughts, analyzing why we are having these thoughts, feeling what we need to feel, but also changing our thought pattern to help us. In the example above when somebody is thinking over and over that there's something wrong with them instead they could recognize why they feel depressed. Some examples of why someone may feel depressed is they are currently in an unhealthy relationship, they don't like their job situation, or someone close to them has died. With cognitive wellness, it isn't that there's something wrong with them, but instead recognizing they have a reason to feel sad or depressed. It is more changing our thoughts and coming up with a plan to feel better.

Another example is when someone is feeling anxious. Again they may let the negative thoughts enter such as I am a failure, nobody likes me, I am so stressed out, or I can't do it all. I use the example of someone with anxiety may feel like they are stuck on this endless merry go round. It just won’t stop and while we are on it we are worrying about all the things going on or things we need to do which may bring body issues such as chest pain or headaches.

Again, cognitive wellness is not about not feeling. We all have to feel. Cognitive wellness is about realizing what we're thinking and then putting into perspective are these thoughts healthy or unhealthy? So, a healthy thought in cognitive wellness when someone is feeling anxious is to begin to think why do I feel anxious? Then to come up with a plan to help the anxiety. Such as yes, I feel anxious because I have so much work to do and my child is sick, but what I'm going to do is use my strategies to help ease my anxiety. I'm going to monitor my thinking so when the anxious thoughts enter, I come up with a plan to work through those thoughts.

Part of the reason that cognitive behavioral therapy is so powerful is because it is something that is inside of your control. Yes, you may genetically or environmentally be a more depressed, anxious, or angry person, but with cognitive behavioral therapy, you still feel what you feel but you change your thoughts, which then will help your feelings because you're able to make actions that help you find your peace. It is very hard to control your thoughts, but if you can learn to do that, it's a game changer. This is a lifelong journey but just as with everything else you can develop healthy coping skills to help you.

As always, if you need extra support or help, please don't hesitate to reach out. I am here, as a therapist to listen, but also educate. If you need support groups, advice on books, suggestions for coping skills to begin with please let me know.