Stop Worrying. Start Living.
Worrying is often seen as a harmful habit affecting our mental and physical health. It’s easy to fall into the trap of worrying about things we don’t want to happen, such as losing our job, getting sick, or having a relationship fall apart.
When we worry, we are essentially praying for these negative outcomes to occur.
Excessive worrying can lead to a constant state of stress, affecting our physical and mental well-being. Chronic stress can increase the risk of developing several health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and depression. It can also make sleeping more complex, leading to fatigue and a lack of energy.
Worrying is a normal part of life. We must see it as usual and work towards balancing it and not letting worry take the lead role in our life.
When we constantly worry, we may find it challenging to focus and be productive. Our thoughts may become scattered, and we may need help completing tasks or making decisions.
Letting worry have the leading star role in your life can make achieving your professional and personal goals challenging.
Worrying can also affect our relationships. We may become more irritable and less patient with those around us. We may also find it harder to connect with others, as we may be preoccupied with our worries and not fully present.
The good news is that there are ways to manage and reduce excessive worrying. One effective strategy is cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and our FREE Flip The Thinking Tool Kit, which can help us identify and change negative thinking patterns.
Mindfulness practices, such as meditation, yoga, and morning journaling, can also help us become more aware of our thoughts and emotions and learn to let go of worrying.
Choosing mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and focusing on our thoughts and feelings without judgment. When mindful, we are less likely to get caught up in worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. We can practice mindfulness by taking a few minutes each day to sit quietly, focus on our breath, and observe our thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them.
One way to stop worrying is to shift our focus to what we do want to happen.
- Instead of worrying about losing our job, we can focus on the things that will help us keep it, such as working hard and building positive relationships with our colleagues.
- Instead of worrying about getting sick, we can focus on our health by eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep.
- And instead of worrying about a relationship falling apart, we can focus on ways to strengthen and improve it.
Another way to stop worrying is to take action towards the things you want. Worrying can signify that you are unsure of what to do or feel powerless. In contrast, taking action will make you feel more in balance and less likely to worry.
It’s important to remember that worrying is a normal human experience, and it’s okay to worry sometimes.
If worrying is interfering with your ability to enjoy your life and accomplish your goals, it may be worth seeking help from a therapist or counsellor. They can help you develop strategies to manage your worries and improve your overall well-being.
Worrying about things we don’t want to happen is a habit that can negatively affect our mental and physical health. By shifting our focus to what we do want to happen, practising mindfulness, taking action and seeking help when needed, we can reduce the amount of time we spend worrying and improve our overall well-being.