What if your brain is filtering your life for evidence that you’re failing, without you even realising it? In this episode, Dr Lucy and Dr Mary explore the reticular activating system, or RAS, and how this powerful brain filter can shape your mindset, habits, and momentum.

Think of it like your social media algorithm: what you pay attention to, your brain is more likely to show you again. That can leave you noticing every mistake, feeding all-or-nothing thinking, and asking, “What’s the point?” But with awareness and intention, you can begin to direct your focus towards the small actions, opportunities, and evidence that support the life you want to build. 

Dr Lucy also shares a candid personal experience of recognising an unhelpful spiral and recommitting to the habits that help her feel better. You’ll hear practical ways to use specific goals, visualisation, self-care, and positive attention to help your brain work with you, not against you. This isn’t about pretending life is perfect. It’s about choosing where you place your attention, one realistic step at a time. 

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript 
https://www.rlmedicine.com/stuck-in-a-negative-spiral-start-here 

What if your brain is filtering your life for evidence that you&rsquo;re failing, without you even realising it? In this episode, Dr Lucy and Dr Mary explore the reticular activating system, or RAS, and how this powerful brain filter can shape your mindset, habits, and momentum.
Think of it like your social media algorithm: what you pay attention to, your brain is more likely to show you again. That can leave you noticing every mistake, feeding all-or-nothing thinking, and asking, &ldquo;What&rsquo;s the point?&rdquo; But with awareness and intention, you can begin to direct your focus towards the small actions, opportunities, and evidence that support the life you want to build.&nbsp;
Dr Lucy also shares a candid personal experience of recognising an unhelpful spiral and recommitting to the habits that help her feel better. You&rsquo;ll hear practical ways to use specific goals, visualisation, self-care, and positive attention to help your brain work with you, not against you. This isn&rsquo;t about pretending life is perfect. It&rsquo;s about choosing where you place your attention, one realistic step at a time.&nbsp;
For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: <a href="https://www.rlmedicine.com/">https://www.rlmedicine.com/</a>&nbsp;
Episode, show notes &amp; transcript <a href="https://www.rlmedicine.com/stuck-in-a-negative-spiral-start-here">https://www.rlmedicine.com/stuck-in-a-negative-spiral-start-here</a>&nbsp;

Welcome to the Real Health and Weight Loss Podcast where you get Real advice from Real Doctors to help you lose weight and revolutionise your health not just now but permanently. You can change your future, starting now. 

Imagine if everything you had been told about weight loss was wrong. 

We are here to bust through some myths and give you actionable advice. Real health and weight loss is a journey and we, your hosts Dr Mary Barson and Dr Lucy Burns from Real Life Medicine, are here with you every step of the way. 

Welcome to the Real Health and Weight Loss Podcast where you get Real advice from Real Doctors to help you lose weight and revolutionise your health not just now but permanently. You can change your future, starting now.&nbsp;
Imagine if everything you had been told about weight loss was wrong.&nbsp;
We are here to bust through some myths and give you actionable advice. Real health and weight loss is a journey and we, your hosts Dr Mary Barson and Dr Lucy Burns from Real Life Medicine, are here with you every step of the way.&nbsp;

Real health from real doctors on health and weight loss

Real Health and Weight Loss Podcast

Welcome to the Real Health and Weight Loss where you get Real advice from Real Doctors to help you lose weight and revolutionise your health not just now but permanently. You can change your future, starting now. Imagine if everything you had been told about weight loss was wrong.

We are here to bust through some myths and give you actionable advice. Real Health and weight loss is a journey and we, your hosts Dr Mary Barson and Dr Lucy Burns from Real Life Medicine are here with you every step of the way. 

Welcome to the Real Health and Weight Loss where you get Real advice from Real Doctors to help you lose weight and revolutionise your health not just now but permanently. You can change your future, starting now. Imagine if everything you had been told about weight loss was wrong.
We are here to bust through some myths and give you actionable advice. Real Health and weight loss is a journey and we, your hosts Dr Mary Barson and Dr Lucy Burns from Real Life Medicine are here with you every step of the way.&nbsp;