The Worrywart's Guide to Life

Hello, my name is Janna and I'm a worrywart.

No, this isn't worrywarts anonymous, but I feel that getting that out is one way to prove the validity of this piece. I'd like to help other worrywarts overcome their fears and anxieties just as I've overcome mine.

I know exactly where my worrying tendencies came from: my mother. She's one of the most neurotic, worrisome people I've ever met. She kept us very sheltered as kids. Thus, I naturally absorbed her worrywarting habits. Children are like sponges in that way, and if you're a worrywart with kids you may have a new-found motivation for stopping your worries in their tracks. Your children could find themselves doing exactly as you are and develop a mental illness like generalized anxiety disorder, like I did.

So, whatever your reason, you want to stop your worries, right? Well, there's no sure-fire way to do that, but there are a few things you can do to help yourself.

Distraction

This is a technique often suggested for those suffering from mental illnesses like anxiety disorders or depression. Distracting oneself from our emotions is one of the best ways to take our minds away from them long enough so that they quell. How can you distract? Reading, writing, watching TV, doing chores, playing games, talking a walk with a friend, anything that keeps your attention long enough to distract you from your worries!

Don't obsess alone

Release your worries and fears to a friend or trusted confidant. It helps to verbally communicate anxious thoughts and a little feedback can't hurt, either.

No one to talk to?

Write it down! Write in a journal, or if journaling is not your style, try poetry. Putting things down on paper is a great way to get them out when there's nobody there to talk to. It's like talking to yourself except people don't think you're crazy!

Soothing activities

Do something relaxing. Take a nap, listen to music, light a candle, play with a pet, whatever it is that can help to calm your nerves. Those "stress squisher" balls can work wonders for some, while others merely need a nice hot bath. Try a variety of things because you never know what might do it for you.

Get the facts

If you feel like your worrying tends to be over things that aren't worth worrying about, try getting your facts straight. If you're worried about burglary, for example, look up the crime rate in your area. Chances are it's much lower than you'd guess. If you're afraid a tornado will destroy your house, look up the statistics on tornado occurrences in your state. Even if you live in Tornado Alley, it's highly unlikely your house is about to be blown away.

Can't stop worrying?

If you honestly cannot stop ruminating over one thing or another, you could possibly have an anxiety disorder. See your doctor or a psychiatrist and they can advise you on what you can do if that's the case. Even if it isn't, they might have ideas as to what could help quell your worried thoughts.

We all worry - just some of us more than others. Some of us have to fight off our worries day in and day out. Others haven't got a care in the world. The goal is to find balance in all areas of our lives, and especially when it comes to our minds. Using these tips, hopefully you'll find the balance you need and freedom from your fears!