Worry and rumination

A woman on a laptop in a modern café with wall art, a large cactus and pendant lights above.

What if your worry problem is really a planning problem?

Clinicians have long recognised the link between worry and planning. New research asks what this means for managing anxiety

by Paul B Sharp

Photo of a woman in a floral blouse thinking deeply with her hands clasped near her face.

Instead of wrestling with self-defeating thoughts, try this

When your own thoughts discourage and undermine you, it’s easy to get tangled. A change of strategy could get you past it

by Joe Oliver & Kristy Potter

Close-up of hands holding clear frogspawn with visible black eggs in a natural outdoor setting.

A filmmaker’s never-realised ideas become an exploration of self-doubt

Directed by Cameron Nicoll

Photo of two people sitting at a table by a window, talking and drinking coffee, with a rainy view outside.

Rehashing your problems with friends can turn into a bad habit

Although ‘co-rumination’ bolsters relationships in some ways, it also distracts from other, better coping methods

by Shayla Love

Photo of a wooden door with a metal chain lock, slightly scuffed surface and ornate latch on top against a dark background.

Should you confront your worries or try to banish them?

Psychotherapists have long believed it’s a bad idea to suppress worrisome thoughts, but new research is prompting a rethink

by Shayla Love

Photograph of commuters in motion at a train station with a reflection of a bridge seen in the train window.

How to thrive amid ‘imposter syndrome’

Worries that you’re incompetent and undeserving could be holding you back. Try these steps to move toward the life you want

by Jill Stoddard

A woman seen from behind talks on a mobile phone while distractedly running her hand through her hair

If thinking is rational, what makes overthinking irrational?

A philosophical perspective on overthinking offers fresh insights into the mental processes involved in anxiety and OCD

by Pablo Hubacher Haerle

Painting of a serene river scene with distant houses and trees reflecting in the water under a hazy blue sky.

How to feel less stressed

Everyone handles stress differently. The ‘4Ds’ approach is about helping you find the coping strategies that work for you

by Warren Mansell & Louise Mansell

Illustration of a person walking from a fiery red landscape to a calm seaside through a white door.

How to defuse catastrophic thoughts

Do you often fear the worst is going to happen? Use these therapeutic techniques to think more rationally and calmly

by Lucia Tecuta

Photo of a man in an office walking pensively, with wooden walls and brown chairs around.

Why it might not help – and could hurt – to brace for the worst

When awaiting a potentially stressful update or event, do you assume it won’t go your way? There may be better options

by Ella Moeck

Photo of a person in a yellow jacket opening a door, facing away in a room with a window and blinds.

What to do when your urge for reassurance has gone too far

The need for constant reassurance can show up like a persistent itch. Follow these steps for a more lasting peace of mind

by Matt Huston

Photo of people with luggage in a busy airport terminal looking up, possibly checking flight information on display boards.

Why some people are at higher risk of ‘stress contagion’

Our stress levels don’t rise and fall in isolation. Grasping the social side of stress could help us manage it better

by Shihan Li

A red hibiscus flower and green leaves are divided into four vertical panels against a blue background, overlaid by raindrop textures.

Climate fears make Sindha feel doomed. Can eco-therapy help?

Directed by Sindha Agha

Photo of a woman in profile with glasses, backlit by warm sunlight through a window, creating a soft, serene atmosphere.

Stuck in a loop of worrying thoughts? Here’s how to stop it

Dwelling on your difficulties might feel like problem-solving, but it can be pernicious. There are tools to stop the habit

by Megan L Rogers

Black and white photo of a man silhouetted sitting in a doorway looking at boats and a hotel across a harbour.

How to deal with regret

In a world of choices, it’s impossible to avoid regret. Unpleasant as it is, you can make it bearable, even inspirational

by Jelena Kecmanovic

Photo of a hospital corridor with a ceiling sign pointing to the waiting area. An exit sign is visible in the background.

How to overcome worrying about your health

Forever looking up symptoms and fearing the worst? There are ways to stop the endless checking and find real peace of mind

by Karen Cassiday