As taught in Amen University’s Brain Health Trainer program, Dr. Daniel Amen, founder of Amen Clinics, coined the term “ANTs” (Automatic Negative Thoughts) to describe how negativity can invade the brain.

Know that:

Your brain has a talent.

It can create problems that don’t exist.

Automatic Negative Thoughts — ANTs.

They show up fast.
They sound convincing.
And they steal energy.

Automatic Negative Thoughts are the uninvestigated ideas that run through your mind all day:

They feel true.

They often aren’t.

And when you don’t challenge them, they shape your mood, your decisions, and your relationships.

Often there are nine predictable patterns:

Once you can name them, you can weaken them.

When you feel sad, mad, or nervous, pause.

Write the thought down.

Then ask:

You’re not suppressing thoughts.
You’re investigating them.

And investigation weakens distortion.

Honest, rational thinkers tend to be more successful.

Not because they’re more positive.

Because they don’t believe every thought that walks through the door.

Thoughts lie.
A lot.

You don’t have to eliminate negative thinking.

You just have to stop trusting it automatically.

Catch the ANT.
Question it.
Replace it.

Your brain will get stronger with practice.

What’s one recurring thought you’ve never challenged?