Why Thoughts Matter. Our thoughts shape the way we feel, act, and relate to others. When stress or strong emotion runs high, our minds often take shortcuts by jumping to conclusions (mat) or assuming the worst. When our mind does this, it’s called a “thinking trap.” A thinking trap (also called a cognitive distortion) happens when our brain tells a story that isn’t completely true. These thoughts often show up automatically, especially when we’re stressed, anxious, or upset. Thinking traps na...