01/16/2026
Mental health is the M in D.R.E.A.M. đ§ â¨
Our brains evolved to keep us alive. Automatic negative thoughts once helped our ancestors worry about food, shelter, predators, and survival. Those thoughts, created in the amygdala and insula, had a purpose.
Today, most of our survival needs are metâbut those same negative thought patterns are still running in the background. Instead of protecting us, they often focus on things that donât truly matter, especially when fueled by constant news and social media.
The good news? We are not powerless. Through our prefrontal cortex and our free will, we can counteract these patterns. We can squash the âANTsâ đđ (automatic negative thoughts) with positive actions like meditation, movement, time in nature, and connection with people we love.
You have more control over your mental health than you thinkâand the D.R.E.A.M. approach shows you how to use it.