Our Rational Thinking resource

Using our mind’s innate resource to think rationally can have profound effects in helping free us from stressful situations – but as with all our resources, it is one we need to use to learn effectively.

What is Rational Thinking?

Whether we’re feeling happy or sad, chances are we’re thinking about something. The problem is that during times of distress, when emotions are running high, we can quickly become overwhelmed.

This disrupts our ability to think clearly, effectively seeing our emotions hijack our brains and allow us to only think in terms of “black and white”. What that means is that we don’t see the full picture – putting us at a higher risk of more narrowed and pessimistic thoughts.

Those types of thoughts can be helpful when we find ourselves in a state of emergency, when our brain initiates its fight or flight response – but it isn’t helpful at all when we deal with the stresses that might be impacting us in our daily lives.

Being able to see a more broad, open and explanatory picture is what we refer to when we speak about Rational Thinking. It means we are applying the brakes and stopping ourselves from acting on impulse.

Returning to Rational Thinking doesn’t just help us get out of stressful situations, it helps us learn how to respond to new challenges, become responsible and achieve meaningful goals.

How can we put Rational Thinking into action?

When stress overwhelms us and we experience Black and White Thinking, common thoughts include the likes of “everything is wrong” or “I am useless”.

When we use Rational Thinking however, those thoughts could change to the likes of “things can get better”.

But to get ourselves back into a state of Rational Thinking, we need to calm ourselves down. That might not always be as easy as it sounds, but there are steps we can take to lower our emotional arousal.

Much of this we can do in advance to help ourselves in the future, including:

• Planning ahead using our rational mind to help boost our needs for Security and Control
• Trying not to think about what we aren’t able to do – and more about what we can do in the future

But if you are already feeling like you are experiencing Black and White Thinking, there are still things you can do.

• Engage in the things that make you happy. That could be talking to a loved one or going out for a walk or other form of exercise
• Think about the way you might speak to your pet or a younger person you care about. The gentler tone we use can be adopted for the way you talk to yourself in your head
• Relax, calm down and remind yourself that there are many different resources you can use to meet your emotional needs

Using Rational Thinking won’t just help free you from stressful situations, it also helps meet your emotional needs – with the most effected including Status, Achievement and Meaning & Purpose.

Learn more about the emotional needs and resources we all share.