Optimism is more associated with left hemisphere activation, whereas pessimism is associated with the right hemisphere (Hecht 2013).

Also use positive imagery, exercise, sleep, and music to calm your amygdala, as outlined in chapters 6, 9, and 11.

In essence, mindfulness means understanding that all you ever really have is the present moment, and practicing a new way to inhabit and observe that moment: with a focus on allowing, accepting, and being fully aware of whatever you’re experiencing. This may sound simple, but it takes practice.

scientist John Lubbock (2004, 188) noted, “A day of worry is more exhausting than a week of work.”

Next, focus your attention on cortex-based strategies as needed. Review chapter 10 to remind yourself of the types of anxiety-igniting thoughts that are most problematic for you, and use the approaches described in chapter 11 to combat those thoughts. Practice monitoring and modifying your thoughts until you’re able to think in more productive

Next, spend some time brainstorming alternative interpretations for each anxiety-igniting interpretation you identified. If you play with this a bit, you can probably see how different interpretations could lead to a wide range of emotional responses.

Use relaxation, sleep, and exercise to reduce sympathetic nervous system activation.

Learn the skills of slowing your breathing and relaxing your muscles in order to turn off your sympathetic nervous system and activate your parasympathetic nervous system, as discussed in chapter 6.

To take charge of your life, identify triggers for anxiety in situations where anxiety or compulsions are blocking your goals, as discussed in chapter 7. Then target those triggers with exposure, as outlined in chapter 8, to reduce the limiting effects of anxiety.