Do you worry about your job, your health, or even what you are going to eat for breakfast tomorrow?
If you spend too much time worrying, you are wasting a huge part of your life you could be spend living. And you won’t get that time back.
Worrying is more than just a habit. It can cause many health problems, both mental and physical. However, if you want to change, you have to understand why people worry.
All worrying, in every case, is caused by uncertainty about the future. No one can be certain about what the future will bring, and this causes us to worry about what might be. When we cannot do anything to affect the future, our minds are left to their own devices, and we stress.
While worrying is common, it is far from harmless. One of the biggest problems that it causes is high levels of stress–and all of the health problems that go with it. Beyond that, here are some of the many negative effects that can come from worrying:
- Sleeplessness
- Lack of concentration
- Anxiety
- Appetite issues
- Irritability
- Heart problems
- Nervous disorders
- Fatigue
If you’ve been noticing any of these signs, you’ve got a big problem on your hands. Excessive worrying can also lead to more severe health risks. It can lead to short term memory loss, increased risk for heart attacks, and many others.
However, have no fear. There aare ways you can stop worrying and take control of your life.
How To Stop Stressing Over Things You Can’t Control
1. Recognize that there is never a point to it.
Realize that worrying has no purpose. Once you start to recognize that you are wasting your energy and time stressing over that which you cannot control, you will have an easier time stopping it.
Related: 7 Ways To Get More Energy (Without Napping)
2. Set aside a “worry time” every day.
It can be difficult to break your worrying habit if you’ve been doing it all your life, so this is a good way to wean yourself. Set aside 15 minutes each day to worry about things, and keep your stressing confined to that time. It will allow you to worry, but will keep it from taking over your life.
3. Eat healthy.
It sounds unrelated, but it’s not: keep a healthy diet. When you feel better physically, you will not be as prone to worrying, because you will have the energy to properly cope with anything that comes your way.
Related: 6 Tricks To Stay Healthy When Your Lifestyle Changes
4. Keep yourself busy.
Your mind can only ruminate if you have nothing else to think about. When you are busy, your mind is occupied, and has no time to turn to worry. When you start to feel nervous, get yourself busy with something useful, or something you care about.
5. Talk about it with friends or family.
Your loved ones want to help you. When you talk to others about your problems, they can help you resolve them. Even if they cannot help you resolve the problem, they can help you realize there is nothing you can do, or distract you from the problem.
Related: The Benefits Of Friendship
6. Prepare for the worst, but always hope for the best.
While it is good to be prepared, if you always expect the worst to happen, it often will. The negative view you have on the future can often influence the way you act, and can cause you to make it happen. It’s okay to have a back-up plan, but be positive.
7. Work on your self-confidence.
When you are lacking confidence, you will feel like you are not good enough to tackle whatever life may throw at you in the future. A low self-confidence fuels the uncertainty that leads to excessive worrying.
Related: The Benefits Of Having Confidence In Yourself
8. Work on your relationship.
Develop your relationship with your significant other, if you have one. When you are in a strong relationship, you’ll likely be happier, and have someone to help you with your problems (and boost your confidence!).
Remember: if your worrying has gotten to a point where you cannot control it on your own, you should seek help from a professional. Counseling can help you learn to manage your worrying, and prevent all the problems that can be associated with it.
The Takeaway
Don’t let your worries swallow you whole. You can stop worrying today. With a little work, and the help of friends, you can conquer your stress, and take back control of your life.
Photo by photoloni
Originally published in 2012 and updated in 2014.