Good Thinking

Book excerpt: Practical help for teenagers navigating negative emotions, stress and self-defeating behaviour. Although most of us pay little attention to our emotions, feelings like anxiety, anger, frustration, guilt and sadness can have a huge impact on our lives. Sometimes we get stuck in negative ways of thinking that perpetuate these emotions, even when what is happening in our lives is not that bad. Teenage years can be a particularly challenging time. There are lots of changes happening – physical, social and mental, and emotional ups and downs are common. Upsetting emotions can lead to self-defeating behaviours, such as avoidance, irritability, withdrawal and brooding. While our emotions seem to have a life of their own, there are actually lots of things we can do to affect them. Learning skills to manage unhelpful emotions can make our lives much easier, now and into the future. They can also help us to get back on track more quickly when things go wrong. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an approach used by therapists all over the world to help people learn to think in a healthy and balanced way, and to bounce back more quickly from stressful events. It provides techniques to help overcome stress, negative emotions and self-defeating behaviour. Bestselling author of Change Your Thinking, Sarah Edelman, and Louise Remond, a specialist in therapy for teenagers, explain how to use these skills with clarity and compassion. The book contains plenty of real-life examples, practical tools and exercises. These strategies have a proven track record, and are valuable skills for a happier and more confident life.