I have a slightly different focus on my blog this week. I felt a strong urge to touch on worrying and anxiety, something we have all faced at one stage in our lives. Some suffer from it far more than others – the reasons for this I do not know.
Worrying does not add anything to our life yet so many of us partake in this. Perhaps it is a habit that needs to be “unlearned”. We have spent the best part of our lives leaning on worry knowing it brings no real benefit at all.
Worrying leads to anxiety which opens all sorts of doors that we may struggle to close. A few that come to mind are depression and self doubt. Over analysing soon follows. At first you may link being analytical to being reflective when in fact you are breaking down every conversation, every action and reliving it wondering what you could have said and done differently. You then become critical of yourself and go over the scenario again and again as if you can somehow give it a different ending. I have been there and bought the t-shirt!
You notice your reaction when in situations and the triggers but have difficulty in stopping the behaviours.
You may be thinking how do I just stop worrying, surely it will take months, even years to train my brain to think differently and react more positively when situations arise that challenge me? Of course, it will not happen overnight.
Reading the bible and praying gives me peace and hope when I am feeling downcast. Also remembering that everyone has some form of load to carry helps to put life into perspective for me. We are moved by those things that affect us. I cannot minimise what another person faces however trivial it may appear to me.
Are you relating your current situation to a painful past experience?
Are you living with regret?
Are you carrying guilt or shame?
You must first acknowledge your emotions then seek to pinpoint the root before you can overcome them.
How do you deal with anxiety?
organisedlady 
It is so easy to worry and I’m definitely very good at it. Of course, that isn’t at all healthy. It is important to find some type of resource to help surrender and let things be. Though I think that is something that requires constant commitment and effort. I’m with Sabrina on walking and meditation. Those are two of my favorites.
LikeLike
A person who veers towards worrying has to take drastic action in order to stop doing what they have done for years. It can be a slow process.
LikeLike
Anxiety and worry are like treadmills, they seem to feed on each other and once you get on, it’s hard to stop. Sometimes there are genuine issues (deadlines, health problems) – and then there are the irrational, imaginary woes that we plague ourselves with. Those are much harder to overcome!
LikeLike
Yes, worrying about events that are yet to come. It steals so much of your joy.
LikeLike
Worry is wasted energy, we can’t afford. If you think about it, worry is always about something that is a result of an action in the past. Put you energy into today, let tomorrow come, it will arrive anyways.
LikeLike
At times, people worry about situations that have not yet occurred – they may never occur.
LikeLike
I suffer from anxiety a little every now and then. I need to start practicing meditation or something.
LikeLike
Do you know why Jason?
What are the triggers?
LikeLike
Meditation and Yoga are the best way to deal with it. Both when followed helps to focus and work out the difficulty.
LikeLike
I do not participate in meditation or yoga for personal reasons but I know of people who use this as a way of relaxing.
LikeLike
Yes, it is! Have you tried it sometime?
LikeLike
No, I have not.
LikeLike
I grew up with a mother who worried incessantly and a father who knew better. Not that I haven’t worried from time to time, but I determined at a young age not to be like my mother in that regard.
MercyMe’s CD, Welcome to the New, has wonderful songs that can help anyone cut through the worry and refresh their life.
LikeLike
RoseMary – it must have been difficult for you and your family as worry can be all consuming.
LikeLike
Hi Phoenicia,
Your post sounds like you’ve really got something on your mind right now. I hope you find a way to put that burden down. Two things that work for me: (1) realizing that I cannot control much, and (2) confidence that things will eventually work out and I’ll be able to handle the result. Good luck!
Dr Rin Porter
LikeLike
Dr Rin – there is an element of acknowledging that you cannot always be in control. Some situations you must accept and work your way through them.
LikeLike
Great advice Phoenicia. It is so important to get to the root of whatever is bothering us! I’ve personally never been much of a worrier or suffered from anxiety, but members of my family have and occasionally I receive emails from readers asking me how to ‘fix’ it.
While I am an enthusiastic advocate of self-paced personal growth efforts, I have no problem admitting that route isn’t for everyone. Beyond the tips that you suggested to tackle short-term problems, when it comes to chronic anxiety and depression I believe people benefit the most from seeking professional help to uncover the source of the problem. Thanks for the great read!
LikeLike
You are welcome.
People have to seek the route most suitable for them.
LikeLike
The line is this post that resonated most with me is
“worrying adds nothing to your life.” It certainly doesn’t. I think that would become obvious to most if you could be reminded of what you worried about last month or last year. I think it most cases you’d decide that the worrying was for naught.
LikeLike
Thanks for your pearls of wisdom Ken.
LikeLike
Phoenicia, I am one of the lucky ones who doesn’t worry. Sometimes that acts to my detriment, as I am an optimist and am occasionally blindsided by my positive thoughts. But for the most part, it makes my days happy and my life more focused. Cheers!
LikeLike
I assumed you were highly positive Doreen. There is nothing wrong with always looking on the bright side.
LikeLike
Deep breathing and meditation exercises help me with anxiety. I also like to take a walk but when the weather is bad, it’s hard to do that.
LikeLike
Walking never fails to make me feel perlier, whatever the weather.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s actually easy to stop yourself from worrying by simply telling yourself to stop. Once you master that ability you will stop negative thoughts when they pop up. Sounds to easy? Believe me it’s easy because we can all control our minds. In the beginning you may need to ask yourself what’s the worst thing that can happen if things go wrong. But with time that will not be necessary because you will stop yourself automatically.
LikeLike
It really is not that easy for everyone. It can be likened to someone trying to lose weight. They know exactly what they need to do but struggle to stay discliplined.
LikeLike