Worry. Something we all have definitely experienced at some point of our lives, for many, it’s something felt every single day, at some point, for some reason. There is often worry about finances, health, family, school and work, the list goes on. I too have found myself from time to time worrying about things, many of which are things out of my control, the majority of the time the things I worry about later proved to be something I shouldn’t have worried about at all.

According to a study done on the materialization of worry, it concluded that 85% of worry never became reality. Additionally, of the things that did happen, 79% of the participants actually handled the situation better than they thought they would and many of them found they learned a valuable lesson from it. Learning lessons from worrisome situations should not be overlooked, as it can help reduce future worry and help you better deal with the situations when your worry does actually materialize. The point here is that we worry way too much! We can reduce worry and we can improve our responses to it.

By definition, worry is a mental distress or agitation resulting from concern usually for something impending or anticipated. In short, it’s getting all wound about something that hasn’t happened yet. The key here to me is something that hasn’t happened yet. If something hasn’t happened yet, that means there is 1.) the possibility it might not happen, 2.) there is time to adopt a plan to deal with whatever is the cause of the feeling of worry.

There are many ways that can be incorporated into your life to help deal with your worries.

• As I mentioned, my go to is God. If you are a believer in God, which I hope you are, start there. Take your worries to God through prayer. Read scripture to gain wisdom and talk to other believers, you will be surprised how many other people out there are dealing with the same worries as you. Communicating with others who are working through the same struggles as you can be a great help. There is a natural sense of comfort that comes along with knowing you are not alone in dealing with struggles. If you are not a believer, do you like to meditate? If so, take time to meditate regularly.
• Be realistic with yourself: Think about the study I mentioned, at a very, very high percentage, we worry about things that never materialize. When you find yourself worry about something, be realistic in your thoughts. Is it something that you should really be worried? Most of our worries are simply noise pulling us down from living happy and fulfilling lives.
• Flip worry to a positive whenever you can. Worry can actually be motivating when you learn to deal with it properly. For instance, if you are worried giving a presentation at work, flip it to positive motivation, take that motivation and use it to prepare and rehearse. That confidence from knowing you are well prepared can help drown out the worry associated with having to give the presentation.
• Work on improving your mood. Having a positive mood and mindset can naturally reduce your worry. A negative mood can feed worry. Start by making sure you are getting adequate sleep and rest. Also, try to establish am exercise routing if you do not already have one, and try to work on eating healthier. Establishing a healthy life style can help improve your mood.
• Work on your problem-solving skills. A lot of worry is centered around problems we face in our lives. If you get better at problem-solving, you will likely improve your response to dealing with life’s problems that are contributing to your worry.

“If you ask what is the single most important key to longevity, I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension. And if you didn’t ask me, I’d still have to say it.”
– George F. Burns

Worrying is a natural response to uncertainty, but it often serves no real purpose other than to rob you of your present moment and drain your energy. Instead of allowing worry to consume you, choose to focus on what you can control and take proactive steps to address any concerns.

Take a step back and assess the situation objectively. Ask yourself if worrying will change the outcome or if there are practical steps you can take to alleviate your concerns. Often, you’ll find that worrying only adds unnecessary stress and doesn’t actually solve anything.

Practice mindfulness and living in the present moment. Train your mind to let go of worries about the past or future and fully engage with what’s happening right now. This shift in perspective can bring about a sense of peace and allow you to appreciate the beauty of each moment.

Remember that worrying is a habit that can be broken. It takes time and practice, but with each small step, you can gradually reduce the grip that worry has on your life. Believe in your ability to let go of unnecessary worry and embrace a more relaxed and joyful existence.

You have the power to stop worrying and create a life filled with peace, happiness, and serenity. Trust in yourself and the journey ahead.