Have you noticed how quickly the mind turns uncertainty into certainty? A delayed reply becomes “they must be upset with me.” A mistake becomes “I’m going to fail.”

The evidence

Research consistently shows people with greater optimism report lower anxiety and depression. One reason may be that they are more willing to question automatic negative thoughts (D’Souza et al., 2023). The healthiest mindset is not blind positivity — it is curiosity.

The practice

The next time a stressful thought appears, ask: is this a fact or an interpretation? What supports it? What challenges it? What else could be true? Sometimes the most powerful thought is not the most positive — it is the most accurate.

This article is for education and general wellbeing. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and does not replace your physician. mindspan is a wellness screen, not a diagnostic test.