Do you have a lot of anxiety? I used to be an over-anxious person.
For example, anytime my old partner traveled, I would be on pins and needles until he landed safely.
Why? Is it true that I thought my worry would keep him safe?
Worry never helps, I eventually discovered. It simply causes me pain.
I haven’t worried nearly as much since that “aha” moment. I haven’t completely eradicated concern, but it is no longer a dominant force in my life.
Worry’s Negative Effects
I’m glad I was able to modify my relationships to worry because staying in this unpleasant mental state for an extended period of time might have a variety of negative repercussions.
Worry, according to WebMD, can have a negative affect on your relationships, work performance, and capacity to obtain a good night’s sleep. Worry can lead to a lack of healthy lifestyle practices, the use of addictive substances, and even a state of excessive anxiety.
According to WebMD:
“When fears and anxieties become extreme, the stress reaction is likely to be triggered.”
You may encounter symptoms such as headaches, sleeplessness, and muscular aches if your anxiety becomes chronic stress. Chronic stress can also cause severe concerns such as immunological problems, digestive problems, and heart disease.
Isn’t that something we don’t want?
“Whether we worry or not, whatever will happen will happen.”
Ana Monnar is a character in the novel Ana Monnar by Ana Monn
5 Simple Worry-Relieving Techniques
These are five antidotes that have helped me control the worry-prone aspect of my personality. See if one or two of them appeal to you.
- Convince yourself that this isn’t going to happen right now.
Worry usually indicates that you’re brooding on the past or looking forward to the future. Instead, return to the present now whenever a concern thought or feeling occurs. Keep this in mind:
“This isn’t going to happen right now.” It’s only a passing concept in my head.”
Take the Dalai Lama’s advice to heart:
“There is no reason to be concerned if an issue is fixable, if a circumstance allows you to take action. There’s no point in fretting if it can’t be fixed. There’s no point in worrying about anything.”
To put it another way, if there is a solution, act on it. If this isn’t the case, let go.
- Change the TV Station
Use your senses to help you return to the present moment when your mind wanders to worry.
Right now, take note of what you see, hear, feel (physical sensations), smell, or taste. “I see a yellow wall and hear birds chirping and a weed whacker in the distance,” for example.
You don’t have to say it out loud to yourself. Simply be aware of what your senses are getting without making any mental associations with it. If thoughts occur, simply dismiss them and return your focus to your senses.
This is a straightforward mindfulness exercise.
- Use a Positive Affirmation
Replace the concern idea with an affirmation. Make one that gets right to the heart of your phobia.
“I feel safe,” for example. “I have everything I need now now,” or “I have everything I need right now.”
Then, whenever a worrisome thought arises, immediately replace it with the affirmation. Because your worry patterns are ingrained in your mind, you’ll have to do it over and over to change them. It is, nonetheless, doable.
Alternatively, as the following quotation indicates, count your blessings.
“Take a break from your worries and fears for a bit.” Remind yourself of all the things you have to be grateful for.” Ralph Marston is a famous author.
- Worry, worry, worry, worry, worry, worry, worry, worry, worry, worry, worry, worry
Tapping is a technique for releasing emotional patterns, unhelpful beliefs, and blocked energy by gently and persistently pressing particular acupuncture points on the body.
When they tap on something relating to their problem, most people repeat a phrase.
“Even though I_______, I absolutely love and accept myself,” I love this expression, which is widely used in Tapping.
Fill up the blanks with “concern” and repeat the phrase to yourself whenever worry enters your head.
“I absolutely love and accept myself, even when I worry.”
Give tapping a try if you’re interested about another wonderful strategy for lowering anxiety. Watch and tap along as Nick Ortner, creator of The Tapping Solution, demonstrates how to tap to Marie Foleo, a business coach.
Using Your Wise Self as a Guide
When you intentionally take actions to alleviate anxiety, you change it into wisdom. You begin to live from your enlightened inner self, which knows:
Everything changes—the it’s way the world works.
You will only be harmed if you resist change or worry about it.
Change can strike without warning. It may seem shocking at first, but you must accept it.
Apart from our own minds and emotions, there is very nothing we can influence in this world.
“Life is a succession of natural and unplanned transitions.” Resisting them will just make you sad. Allow reality to play out. Allow things to flow spontaneously in whatever direction they want.” Lao Tzu was a Chinese philosopher who lived in the 2nd century BC.
Final Thoughts
Given all of the challenges we confront in life—from the coronavirus to financial struggle to health issues and more—I would never dismiss anxiety. It’s perfectly normal for someone to be concerned.
I want you to know that there is a path out if you do. Try one or more of these worry-relieving remedies to see if they work for you.
Tell yourself that this isn’t going to happen right now.
- Change the station.
- Use a Positive Affirmation
- Worry and all, love yourself.
- Set aside time to be concerned.
- Patience is required. Rewiring your brain takes time.
Every time you let go of a worrisome notion, rejoice. Instead, focus on the sense of relaxation you’re experiencing. This will aid in the change’s acceptance.
Look forward to living more and more from your smart self each day.
