Final answer:
Individuals reduce thoughts about catastrophes through cognitive restructuring, which is a method of changing negative thought patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
By reducing thoughts about catastrophes caused by sensations, individuals are likely practicing cognitive restructuring. This cognitive strategy to manage anxiety involves identifying irrational or maladaptive thoughts, challenging them, and replacing them with more rational or adaptive thinking.
Strategies such as mindfulness meditation, exposure therapy, and positive affirmations also play roles in managing stress and anxiety, but cognitive restructuring specifically targets the alteration of negative thought patterns.