Cognitive clarity

The study (The Lancet Psychiatry, 2016, DOI: 10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30376-1) shows that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) reduces anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents by 50–60% by challenging irrational thoughts through cognitive restructuring. Exposure and recognizing true thoughts promote emotional stability. In the HARMO method, the index finger (“Aspire to light”) embodies cognitive clarity through the questions “What does love think? What does truth think?” and the gesture of raising the finger to eye level. This practice encourages examining negative thoughts and dispelling untrue worries, directly aligning with the CBT techniques of the study. The obvious connection lies in fostering rational perspectives to alleviate anxiety.