Preventing Cognitive Dissonance in the First Place

You can also lessen the chances of dissonance beginning in the first place if you practice being mindful, Noulas says. So, for instance, when conflict or tension arises, take the time to pause and think through your situation and your feelings.

“It’s important to be in touch with your own value system and know when your thinking is being driven by emotions,” says clinical psychologist Corrine Leikam, PsyD, an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

Not sure how to become more mindful? Noulas suggests these actions:

• Journaling
• Talking to a friend
• Exercising, which sometimes gives us the opportunity to be alone with our thoughts, rather than distracted by emails, text messages, TV, or chatty coworkers
• Attending a meditation or yoga class
• Engaging in therapy
• Consulting with a spiritual adviser

Resolving or reducing cognitive dissonance is not always an easy task — but it’s worth it. “It takes constant attention to work on ourselves, to continue to push to create better interactions with each other and more self-awareness,” Curry says.

She says that reaching more consistency in your thoughts and behaviors will create a world that’s less harmful, less likely to trigger negative emotions, and therefore, less problematic.