Avoid the "I just need to work harder" trap.

If you tend to react to stress by attempting to just work harder, try slowing down instead. You might already be trying your hardest.

By telling yourself the problem is not working hard enough, you're likely to close yourself off to trying new ways of coping.

• Example: People who respond to overeating by telling themselves they just need to try harder to stick to their diet next time. By attributing the problem to not trying hard enough, they try to solve it through willpower rather than seeking other strategies.