We might find that we exercise or practice these negative emotions very frequently. This figure illustrates that when we experience something stressful, our attention narrows and fixates on the threat, we feel anxious, upset or angry, and with practice, we become quite good at spotting the stressful parts of our experience. This leads to further narrowing of attention and more distress. Distressing emotions serve their purpose, but when we practice them repeatedly, they can spiral into unhealthy outcomes.