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Hey everyone, welcome back. Today, we're talking about something that messes with all of us: negative thoughts.

Oh boy, my brain is basically a full-time manager of those, especially at 3 a.m.

Right? Like when you're about to sleep and suddenly your brain's like, "Hey, let's replay every embarrassing thing you've ever done in HD all the time." It's like the bad comment is written in glowing neon letters while the good ones are written with invisible ink.

So true. And here's the thing: none of this is actually our fault.

Wait, what? Not my fault? Good. Who do I blame? My cat?

Not this time. You can blame your ancestors. Our brains evolved with a built-in alarm system that's obsessed with spotting danger.

Danger? Like what? Falling coconuts?

More like tigers in the bushes. Thousands of years ago, if our ancestors missed a threat, it was game over. So, their brains became wired to notice problems first.

Okay, that makes sense. Spot tiger equals live another day.

Exactly. And that system was so crucial, it's hardwired into us. But here's the wild part: when that alarm goes off now, it doesn't just ring a bell in your mind. It floods your whole body with chemicals that make you feel stressed. It's like your brain cries, "Wolf!" and your whole body panics. Okay, so here's a question for you all. Have you ever had someone say one negative thing to you, maybe even years ago, that you still remember perfectly like it was yesterday? Does it happen to you? Let us know in the comments what it was. It's so frustrating because it feels like these thoughts are in control, not you. You try so hard to stop the negative spiral, but your brain just keeps pulling you back.

Now, let's talk about what science says regarding negative thinking in our mind and body, how it actually affects us.

Yeah. And it's pretty shocking. It's not just a bad mood. Science shows that negative thoughts create real physical changes inside of us. For example, when you stress or think negatively, your brain releases a chemical called cortisol.

Cortisol? What's that?

It's often called the stress hormone. It's like your body's alarm system. But when that alarm is constantly going off because of negative thinking, it's like crying wolf over and over. This high level of cortisol can weaken your immune system, making you more likely to get sick.

Really? So if I'm always thinking negatively, I might actually get more colds.

Exactly. It also affects your mind. Studies show that constant negative thinking can shrink the part of your brain responsible for memory and learning and it strengthens the part that creates more fear and anxiety. It's like a dangerous cycle.