There are still many serial worriers out there even though there are many new ways that we must do to stem their worries. From electronic calendars to virtual PBX services, there seems to be almost no cause for concern but many people still do. Worrying causes stress, and stress leads to poor health. Here are some ways to worry less and hopefully stop worrying – unless absolutely necessary.
Expect the worst
When faced with a given situation, imagine the absolute worst. Once you have that image in your head, realize that the chances of it happening are very small to zero. With the worst-case scenario already in mind, you’ll be much better prepared for anything else that may come your way.
Worrying does nothing
The Dalai Lama once said “If a problem is fixable, if the situation is such that you can do something about it, then there’s no need to worry. If it can’t be fixed, then there’s no point in worrying. There’s no point worrying about anything.” If you encounter a problem, you should spend more time thinking about ways to fix it and less time worrying about it. Few people can think logically when worried, which makes your problem-solving skills lacking when you’re worried.
Fix the problem and don’t worry about it
Instead of creating multiple what-if scenarios, take control of your life and take control of the problem at hand. Instead of wondering about other things that could go wrong, try nipping it in the bud.
Use positive reinforcement as motivation
Nobody likes getting something done simply because of the worry associated with not doing it. This makes the process unpleasant and stressful. Instead, you should reward yourself for solving problems so that your intentions are directed towards something pleasant.
Always remember that it will not be the end of the world
Worry is caused by thinking about the negative consequences of an action or omission, but you must remember that the earth will still spin even if you make a mistake. You are bound to have the skills needed to manage problems and you can use them to tackle more problems that you may encounter.
Stop worrying about the future
The future is something to look forward to and not fear. If you focus your mind on what is about to happen, you will miss a lot of what is already there.
Remember: “Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.” –John Lennon
Most of the things you worry about will never happen
Mark Twain said it best: “Ninety-eight percent of what I worry about never happens.” You have to keep track of the things you are worried about and compare them to the things that are producing results. You’ll be happy to know that most of them never materialize, wasting your effort worrying about them
Image Credit : Turner
