Methods to Help You Stop Worrying
Sometimes life can be stressful, causing many people to experience worrying or anxious thoughts. It is a natural reaction that may be caused by mounting bills, a first date or beginning a new job. While worrying may be normal in those situations, it may become a cause for concern when it is persistent or uncontrollable.
It is important to identify when you are worrying too much as it can take a negative toll on your mental and physical health. Constant worrying can leave you feeling restless, cause headaches, muscle tension, or make it difficult to concentrate. When worrying or anxious thoughts start to interfere with your daily life, it is time to address the issue and employ methods to help you to stop worrying!
Method 1: Dedicate a daily time for worrying
When anxiety and worry are constant throughout the day, those thoughts may become a distraction which make it tough to be productive. Instead of worrying all day long, dedicate a set time every day for worrying. Create a ‘worry period’ where you sit at the same place at the same time each day and allow yourself to think about whatever’s on your mind. Write down your thoughts and then continue about the rest of your day. Dedicating a set time and writing down your worries will help ensure the rest of the day is enjoyable and a worry-free zone.
Method 2: Address your worries
People who suffer from chronic anxiety may overestimate situations and immediately jump to worst-case scenarios. In most cases, these situations are not as troubling as they may appear. It is important to challenge these thoughts and address your worries in order to reduce your stress and anxiety about the particular situation.
During your dedicated ‘worry period’, ask yourself several questions:
– Can I look at this situation in a more positive, realistic way?
– What evidence is there that my thoughts are true?
– Will worrying help me overcome the situation or is it just hurting?
– What advice would I give a friend or family member who had this worry?
Method 3: Categorize your worries
Distinguishing between solvable and unsolvable worries will help you address your problems head-on. Categorize your worries into solvable worries that you can address right away (for example if you are worried about paying a bill) and unsolvable worries in which there is no solution to the problem (for example thinking what if I get into an accident someday?).
If your worry is solvable, make a list of all the possible solutions to the problem. After selecting the best solution, make a plan of how you can start actually doing something about the problem. Making a plan to solve the problem will help you feel less anxious.
If you worry is unsolvable, try to come to terms with the uncertainty. There is no use spending your time thinking about all the things that could go wrong. Try to accept the uncertainty of life and enjoy all the good things you have in the present moment.
Method 4: Give yourself a break
It is important to take some time out for yourself and give yourself a break from relentless worrying. This is especially important if you worry excessively and feel like negative thoughts are taking over your life. There are a few easy steps you can take to give yourself a break:
– Get some exercise—exercise is an effective and natural way to release endorphins and relieve stress and anxiety.
– Mediate—yoga or meditation are great mindfulness exercises that can help you interrupt an endless loop of negative thoughts.
– Try deep breathing—breathing exercises can help calm your mind and quieten negative thoughts.
Method 5: Talk to someone
It is incredibly useful to voice your worries to a trusted friend or family member. It is important that the person you are talking to will listen without any judgment or criticism. Talking about your worries with someone face to face can help calm your anxiety, put things into perspective and make the worry seem much less serious.
Method 6: Be mindful
By practicing mindfulness, you can focus on the present instead of worrying about what might happen in the future. Being mindful of your thoughts and emotions will allow you to stay present and realize that worrying about things out of your control is causing you to be stuck. Let go of your worries by staying in the present moment and break free of the negative worry cycle.
It isn’t healthy to spend your time worrying, there are many methods you try to help make you feel less anxious. Dedicate a daily time for worrying to categorize and address your problems. This will allow you to break down your concerns and better tackle your worries. Don’t forget to give yourself a break, talk to someone you trust and practice mindfulness. By using these techniques, you will be better equipped to get through stressful times and enjoy life instead of spending your time worrying.
Source: MHC Asia Group ©