"Worry doesn't help tomorrow's
troubles, but it does ruin today's happiness."
~UnknownYou feel it
creeping up on you like a bad dream. With one small thought, it
starts in the pit of your stomach as a flutter and quickly
builds momentum to debilitating fear. You can't move. You can't
breathe. You're caught in a trap, held hostage from your life
...
Why do we worry? Why do we
spend so much time thinking about the worst possible outcome of
a situation, only to realize that our fears were completely
unfounded? Why do we entertain those cursed "what ifs"?
- What if I get into a car
accident?
- What if I lose my job?
- What if I lose my house?
- What if I get sick and can't pay the bills?
- What if my husband/wife leaves me?
- What if I fail?
There are 2 outcomes from
worrying:
1. You've worried for nothing
because your worst worry didn't come true
2. You've worried so much that your worst worry did come
true
In either scenario, you've
wasted so much precious time and happiness on worrying. You've
made yourself miserable and undoubtedly many people around you.
Worrying is a learned behavior
- a habitual way of thinking and being. If you understand the
Law of Attraction, consider that your constant worrying may
actually bring about that which you're worrying about. If that
doesn't stop you in your tracks, then what I'm about to share
won't help you.
Our Worries
The majority of what we worry
about we have no control over because it involves other people
or situations. You can't change other people or make things
happen when it involves anyone other than you. This is wasted
worry time.
Another major topic of worry
falls into the "needless" category. This includes what other
people think of us, what's for dinner, what to wear, being late,
arguments and conflict that hasn't happened....you get the
picture.
Less than 5% of what we worry
about are things that we have control over.
"There is a great
difference between worry and concern. A worried person sees
a problem, and a concerned person solves a problem.">~Harold
Stephens
Breaking Free &
Reclaiming Your Life
Considering that time is the
one commodity that you can't buy, rent, trade or borrow more of,
doesn't it make sense to reclaim as much of this asset as you
can? How do you do that? Take a different approach to your
worries:
1. Release Worries That You
Have No Control Over
Have you ever been worried about a loved one that is seriously
ill or has been in an accident? This is an example of having no
control over the outcome. Does it lesson your worry knowing
this? Probably not. However, given that you have 2 choices of
what to think (worry or positive belief), consider choosing to
believe that all will be well. This will make you feel
better and will send out positive energy to the other person.
2. Confront Your Worry
Head-On
For those situations that you do have control over, you have the
power to solve the problem that keeps you awake with worry.
Confront the problem head on. What are some possible solutions?
Just putting yourself into problem-solving mode will remove or
lesson your anxiety.
3. Take Action
You've just brainstormed some solutions. If a decision needs to
be made, make it. It's likely that after you make a decision,
some kind of action is required. Take that first step towards
your solution. You'll find that what you were worrying about was
not worth your time after all. Action is the antidote to fear
and worry.
4. Relax
Worry creates an incredible amount of tension in your body.
Tension and stress when given free reign can lead to illness.
Making a conscious effort to relax is one of the simplest ways
to banish your worries. Practice deep breathing by closing your
eyes and taking long deep breaths for a couple of minutes. Clear
your mind of worries and repeat "relax" to yourself. In just a
few short minutes you'll feel the tension leave your body.
5. Write It Out
Journaling is one the best therapeutic tools available to us.
Write out what you're worrying about and all your possible
solutions. Pour your heart out on the pages. This is equivalent
to sharing with a good friend except you avoid having someone
affirm your fears - which of course keeps you in worry mode. As
you begin writing you'll find that your worries aren't as
serious as you think. You'll feel better and be ready to move
on.
6. Take Care of Yourself
Get enough sleep, eat healthy food, drink lots of water and get
exercise. What does this have to do with worry? A healthy body
is better equipped to cope with the unexpected, thinks
creatively, and has stronger mental power. Which brings us
to....
7. Engage Your Brain
We have remarkable 'thinking' power. In fact, we're discovering
just how much our thoughts create our reality. When you find
yourself worrying, immediately change that worry to thoughts of
the best possible outcome. Distract your brain by submerging
yourself in positive books, audios, and programs or listen to
music that makes you feel good. You can only hold one thought at
a time - choose an empowering one over one that doesn't make you
feel good.
Like learning to ride a bike, this may seem awkward at first.
Very soon though it will become a habitual way of thinking that
helps you break free of the worry cycle and reclaim your life.
