Feeling anxious and afraid? Meet “The Noticer”

The day began on a high note. I felt rested and happy as I placed the last pillow on the bed, tucked in the corners of the duvet, and switched off the lamp before leaving the room. As I walked downstairs, I noticed sunlight streaming through the deck doors and felt even better. There’s nothing like a sunny autumn morning in New England.

When I stepped into the kitchen, though, everything changed. A memory popped into my head of a conversation I’d had the day before while at the grocery store. I ...