We all have mental habits that can hold us back—from overthinking to harsh self-criticism. The tricky part is, we get so used to these habits that we often don’t even notice that they’re influencing us.

But, as I explain in a recent episode of the Mentally Stronger podcast, our inner monologue influences how we feel, act, and even what we achieve. Becoming aware of your thinking patterns is the first step.

You can’t prevent unhelpful thoughts from popping into your head. But you can control how you respond to them.

Here are seven common bad mental habits and practical strategies you can use to take charge of your thinking, feel stronger, and unlock your potential.

That little voice inside your head can be your biggest cheerleader or your harshest critic. When it’s overly negative, it can reduce your confidence, fuel your anxiety, and turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you tell yourself you’re socially awkward, you’ll act socially awkward.

What to do:

Catastrophizing makes even small problems........

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