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How I Stop Worrying From Interfering With My Daily Life

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Are you somebody who has a habit of worrying about everything which causes a lot of stress in your life?

It can be challenging to go through each day anxious about every little thing in life and fearful of what may or may not happen in the coming days or weeks.

As a result, here are seven suggestions of things I do to live a worry-free life, which can increase happiness and self-confidence.

1. I take deep breaths and slow down.

First, I try to take some deep breaths to help feel better and get rid of some of my excessive fear and anxiety. There are many kinds of breathing exercises available to learn or follow with the help of a mental health counselor. Taking some deep breaths can help me calm down right away. Once I calm down, I then try to take things slowly so I can get my bearings. I might take a walk or listen to some music to get my mind off of my current worries.

2. I get all of the facts of the situation.

Gathering the facts of what is making me anxious can prevent me from relying on exaggerated and fearful assumptions. By focusing on the facts, I can rely on what is reality and what is not. While the consequences of a particular fear may seem real, I find there are usually other factors that cannot be anticipated and can affect the results of any situation. I may be 99% correct in predicting the future, but all it takes is for that one percent to make a world of difference.

3. I don’t dwell on fearful thoughts.

I try not to dwell or focus on my thoughts when they become anxious. The more I try to reason out my thoughts, the longer my anxieties last. One way to stop my negative thinking is to think of a red stop sign. At times, I might encounter a worrisome thought that may be difficult to manage. When this happens, I visualize a red stop sign, which can serve as a reminder to think about something else. Regardless of how scary my negative thinking may be, I try not to dwell on it. This technique is great in dealing with my negative situations and depression

4. I take it one day at a time.

Instead of worrying about how I will get through the rest of the week or the coming months, I try to focus on today. Each day can provide me with different opportunities to learn new things, and that includes learning how to deal with my problems. When the time comes, hopefully I will have learned the skills to deal with the situation. I also use the help of God to get through each day.

5. I carry a small notebook of positive statements.

I also keep a small notebook of positive statements that make me feel good. Whenever I come across a positive and uplifting verse that makes me happy, I write it down in a small notebook. I can then carry this notebook around in my pocket and whenever I feel anxious, I can read the notebook.

6. I try to remember, worrying only makes it worse.

When facing a current or upcoming task that overwhelms me with a lot of anxiety, I divide the task into a series of smaller steps, and then complete each of the smaller tasks one step at a time. Completing these smaller activities makes the stress more manageable and increases my chances of success. I try to remember all the worrying in the world will not change anything. All I can do is do my best each day and hope for the best. If I still have trouble dealing with my endless worrying, I talk to a mental health counselor who can give me some tips on how to manage my anxieties.

7. I talk to a mental health professional.

I try to take advantage of help that is available. If possible, I talk to a professional who can help manage my fears and anxieties. They can provide additional advice and insights on how to deal with the current problem. By talking to a professional, I help myself in the long run because I become better able to deal with my problems in the future.

Unsplash image by Scott Broome

Originally published: April 26, 2021
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