The Worry Factor
We all tend to worry about one thing or another at various times in our lives. Lets face it, we all suffer with a lot of stress everyday from health and family to work and financial issues, we often find ourselves in what seems to be a constant state of worry. Sometimes worry is a good thing if it calls us to positive, constructive action. Most of the time, however, there is not much we can do about the things that worry us; at least in an immediate time frame.
Excessive worry often leads to high anxiety, insomnia, abnormal eating behaviors, depression, urinary and digestive issues, immune deficiencies and many poor lifestyle habits such as drinking, smoking and drug abuse. So how can we stop or manage our worry?
Here are a few tips.
- Identify the worry and detail it. Is it real or imaginary? Is it solvable? Do you have the right perspective? (This may require input from a close friend)
- If your worry requires time to solve, set a goal and a plan of action for eliminating the concern. Think outside the box.
- Allow yourself a certain amount of time in your day to focus on your worry. Then, STOP! Sometimes we have to train our brains to think and act differently.
- If the worry is unsolvable then you will just have to practice the art of acceptance. This is where our faith often plays a huge roll.
- Consider activities that will help you relax and release tension such as exercise, meditation, yoga and massage. Be mindful of your thoughts at these times. Provide yourself with few positive affirmations on which to focus.
Be careful of your thoughts, for your thoughts become your words. Be careful of your words, for your words become your actions. Be careful of your actions, for your actions become your habits. Be careful of your habits, for your habits become your character. Be careful of your character, for your character becomes your destiny.
~ Chinese proverb, author unknown
It is often a struggle at first to put good habits in place to effectively manage any problem or situation. Managing worry is no exception. But, once you have a strategy in place then more than half the battle is won. Now you just have to practice!
Melissa Jarufe,LMT
October, 2011
References:
Web MD - www.webmd.com/balance/how-worrying-affects-your-body
Helpguide.org - www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/how-to-stop-worrying.htm
