#228 How to Cope with Overthinking (Without Fighting Your Thoughts) with Dr. Claire Hayes

#228 How to Cope with Overthinking (Without Fighting Your Thoughts) with Dr. Claire Hayes

Author: Klaudia Mitura May 12, 2026 Duration: 36:03

Life doesn’t always feel calm — and for overthinkers, it can feel like your mind is running a marathon you never signed up for. In this episode, Klaudia sits down with Dr. Claire Hayes, clinical psychologist and author (including How to Cope), to talk honestly about overthinking, emotional resilience, and why “thinking positive” isn’t always the most helpful approach.

This is a conversation about learning to welcome difficult emotions instead of suppressing them, separating thoughts from feelings and actions, and using Claire’s practical ABC coping statement (“I feel… because I think… but I choose…”) to step out of spirals and back into choice.

Get involved:

⬇️ Download: 26 Science‑Backed Micro‑Habits You Can Try Next (Sleep, Movement, Mindfulness, Connection, Purpose — all under 60 seconds) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store

📘 Get the E‑book on habit formation: Build One Life‑Changing Habit in 10 Days (10 minutes/day + printable tools + reflection prompts) https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/store

🎟️ Join live: Join Klaudia on a live webinar: https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/webinars

📨 Subscribe to Klaudia's Substack newsletter for further insights and updates: https://thehappinesschallenge.substack.com/

📚 Grab a copy of The Alphabet of Happiness from Amazon, Guardian Bookshops, Blackwells, Waterstones, and more. https://thehappinesschallenge.co.uk/book


Hosted by psychologist Klaudia Mitura, The Happiness Challenge is a personal and practical exploration of well-being, born from a period of disconnection. After the pandemic severed familiar ties to family and routine, Klaudia turned to her scientific background, not just as a professional, but as someone seeking a more joyful path forward. This monthly podcast unfolds as a series of linked conversations, where each episode builds upon the last to form a cohesive guide. You’ll hear Klaudia engage with researchers, thinkers, and practitioners from various fields, translating robust psychological and neurological findings into tangible habits. The discussions move beyond theory, focusing on actionable steps that touch on physical fitness, mental reframing, and daily self-improvement practices. It’s a blend of evidence-based education and relatable storytelling, where the science of happiness is broken down into manageable challenges for everyday life. By weaving her own journey with insights from experts, Klaudia creates a space that feels both informative and deeply human. Tuning into this podcast means joining a gradual, month-by-month process designed to cultivate sustainable joy through tested methods and honest conversation.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Happiness Challenge
Podcast Episodes
#188 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: O for Ordinary [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:45
Join Klaudia Mitura, work psychologist and Chief Happiness Officer, as she celebrates the launch of her new book, “The Alphabet of Happiness,” with a 26-day boost—one letter at a time! Today Klaudia highlights O for Ordi…
#187 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: N for Nature [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:50
It’s Day 13 of the 26-day boost for Klaudia Mitura’s new book, “The Alphabet of Happiness”!In today’s episode, Klaudia explores N for Nature, highlighting the powerful impact of reconnecting with the natural world.She sh…
#186 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: Interlude [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:27
Celebrate the release of “The Alphabet of Happiness” with Klaudia Mitura’s 26-day challenge—one happiness-boosting habit for every letter from A to Z. We have officially reached the halfway mark!Today's episode is a spec…
#185 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: M for Meaning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:24
Celebrate the release of “The Alphabet of Happiness” with Klaudia Mitura’s 26-day challenge—one happiness-boosting habit for every letter from A to Z!In today’s episode, Klaudia explores M for Meaning. She explains that…
#184 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: L for Luck [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:45
Welcome back to “The Alphabet of Happiness – 26-day challenge,” where Klaudia Mitura shares daily, science-backed happiness tips in celebration of her new book.In today’s episode, Klaudia explores L for Luck.Klaudia reve…
#183 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: K for Kindness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:43
Welcome back to “The Alphabet of Happiness – 26-day challenge,” celebrating Klaudia Mitura’s new book and counting down to the big launch party!Today’s letter is K for Kindness. Klaudia explains how small acts of kindnes…
#182 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: J for Jokes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:50
Celebrate the release of “The Alphabet of Happiness” with Klaudia Mitura’s 26-day challenge—one happiness-boosting habit for every letter from A to Z!In today’s episode, Klaudia explores letter is J for Jokes—celebrating…
#181 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: I for Innovation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:33
It’s Day 9 of the 26-day boost for Klaudia Mitura’s new book, “The Alphabet of Happiness”! Today’s letter is I for Innovation.Klaudia, with insights from Dr. Girija Kaimal, explains that creativity is innate and essentia…
#180 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: H for Habits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:27
It’s Day 8 of the 26-day boost for Klaudia Mitura’s new book, “The Alphabet of Happiness”! Today’s letter is H for Habits. Klaudia highlights research showing that 40% of our happiness comes from the habits we practice e…
#179 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: G for Gratitude [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:37
It’s Day 7 of the 26-day boost for Klaudia Mitura’s new book, “The Alphabet of Happiness”! Today’s letter is G for Gratitude.Klaudia shares her personal struggle with adopting gratitude and explains how our brains are wi…