Stop Worrying Now
Are you looking for ways to stop worrying now? You see, I am a worrier. There I said it. I am a worrier and have to work to ensure that it doesn’t consume my thoughts. Ever since my husband’s injury, worry has become part of my everyday life. It sneaks its way into the cracks of my mind and quietly lies in wait, hoping for a moment of weakness.
And I’m not alone. Ever since the launch of my first book Right Side Up, I have received emails, tweets & questions asking how I handle worry and balance it with my life. Worry seems to be something that many of us struggle with at different times to varying degrees.
3 Strategies to Stop Worrying Now
Redirect Your Thoughts
Ask yourself “What am I thinking about right now”. Do your thoughts make you feel good? Are you able to do anything to change the situation. Can you know for certain that what you are worrying about is truth?
If your answer is no then a quick redirection of your thoughts may help you feel better. For example, if you are worried about the safety of your loved one, redirect your thoughts to something like “I look forward to hearing from them soon”. Think about a happy memory of a time that you were together having fun. Pick up a photo album or look at some text messages. By shifting your thoughts to something that feels good, the stress of worrying about things you can’t control will reduce.
Live in the Moment
I know that when my mind is filled with worry I want and need answers and solutions immediately. Heck I even convince myself that if I don’t get them something terrible will happen. Rather than focus on the urgency of needing a solution, try to live in the moment to stop the negativity.
I love the 54321 method:
Look around you.
Find 5 things you can see,
4 things you can touch,
3 things you can hear,
2 things you can smell,
and one thing you can taste.
Shore up Your Foundation
It sometimes helps me to think of worry like termites. Invisible and silent until they do some real damage. If we don’t eliminate the attack early on our foundation will crack and affect our stability. Something you can do to stop worry from eating away at your foundation lies within you. Spend your energy thinking about the good things in your life. Make a list of all the things that make you smile and laugh. Look at it often and add to it as much as you can. Focusing on the good stuff helps stop worry in it’s tracks.
I’d love to hear how you deal with worry in the comments below!
~Judy Davis is on a mission to help you stress less. She is a motivational speaker, published author and artist as well as a military life and caregiver expert. Her artwork and books are go to resources and her website is filled with tips, advice and resources to help people reduce stress and find balance in their lives. Connect with Judy at DavisInspired.com or on Instagram @Davis_Inspired.