Are you spiraling with anxious thoughts? Try asking yourself this one question.
Hi, I’m Dr. Tom McDonagh, a therapist at Good Therapy SF, and I’m going to help you with interrupting spiraling thoughts with one simple question.
So the question is: Is this thought helpful right now? Please note it doesn’t note or ask if it’s true, just whether it’s helping you. This creates mental space to step out of the spiral. Why does this work?
It shifts your focus from ruminating to redirecting. It breaks the urgency to fix or solve every thought, and it encourages calm, intentional responses.
So if the thought isn’t helpful, let it go without judgment. Move your body, engage your senses, or bring your attention to something present.
You don’t have to believe every thought you think. With the right tools, you can shift your focus and feel more in control.
If this resonates with you, check out Good Therapy SF. We’d love to support you.
