The Goldilocks Principle got its name from a children’s story in which the protagonist noticed that qualities lying midway between two opposite extremes (e.g., hot and cold, hard and soft) are ...

These thoughts are good examples of cognitive distortions — also known as “thinking traps.” They can be easy to fall into and may not be rational. But irrational or not, thoughts affect how a person ...

Magical thinking is when a person believes that specific words, thoughts, emotions, or rituals can influence the external world. Magical thinking examples include worrying that something bad will ...

Magical thinking involves the belief that you can influence real-world events with certain actions or rituals. It’s not necessarily a cause for concern, but it can cause distress for some people.

Cognitive distortions involve negative thinking patterns that aren’t based on fact or reality. You can help change these thinking patterns to promote your mental well-being. “I have the worst luck in ...

Rituals, tokens, and superstitions can comfort you, boost confidence, and help you feel in control. Fixed beliefs that objects have power or you control events may be worth exploring with a therapist.

Dr. Hudson Garrett is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Community Health Associates, which is a leader in healthcare consulting. In the fast-paced and complex landscape of healthcare, where ...