Cat-astrophizing: Why Expecting the Worst is Bad For Your Mental Health

How is it that cats somehow know when you are running late? Somehow, they manage to care about you, even less than normal. Has your cat ever played that adorable game of hide and seek with you? Tell me if this sounds familiar. I spill my coffee. This forces me to change clothes. Of course, now I have to get different shoes. While changing, I messed up my ‘do’ so now I have to fix that. In the process of redoing my hair, I realize that I forgot to brush my teeth. I was distracted earlier when I went to pick up my toothbrush. Not this time. I finish up with my pearly whites just in time to remember that the reason I did not brush my teeth before. It was because I had not seen the cat. I had put my toothbrush down and spend an extra ten minutes checking all of her favorite hiding spots.  You check your watch and realize if you leave right now and hit every green light, you will make it to work on time. Oh D*mn it! You still don’t know where the cat is!  Instantly your brain goes to worst case scenario. They have chewed through an electrical cord and got zapped. They are clinging to life somewhere. I call my boss and say I have a flat tire. Then I remember that one time the dog chased the cat under the bed. She ripped up the bottom of the box spring and hid in there. Yep, there she is. Totally fine. Just grooming herself. She does not ever bother to look up at me. She had no desire to leave her cozy napping spot. She was not going to waste the ener...
Source: PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: featured psychology self-improvement anxiety catastrophizing expecting the worst mental health self improvement Source Type: blogs