Worrying is like riding a rocking horse. You’re moving but not getting anywhere! Here’s how to stop worrying and stressing, and start living.
Worry sucks the life out of you
Do you find yourself consumed by worry? Do you spend much of the day stressing about all the things that could go wrong in the future?
If so, you’ll know this is not a happy or healthy state to be in. More than that, excessive worrying and stressing tends to inhibit you from achieving what you want, and can lead to depression.
When you spend a lot of time worrying and stressing, you’re spending less time taking positive action, so your productivity goes down.
You also tend to miss out on enjoying whatever it is you’re doing, because your mind is elsewhere.
You may be at a friend’s barbeque; eating, drinking and chatting away, but in the back of your mind you’re actually thinking about that presentation you have to give at work next week.
“I really need to start doing some preparation for it”
“What if I don’t get it done in time?”
“I hope I don’t embarrass myself in front of everyone.”
Worrying can stop you from savouring the present moment and enjoying your life. So how can you reduce the time spent worrying?
How to stop worrying and stressing
The simple answer is to stop doing it!
Easier said than done, I hear you say, and you’re right.
But by identifying and labelling worrying thoughts as “unimportant” (because they don’t lead you anywhere constructive) and then making a conscious and consistent effort to dismiss them, you’ll begin to form a habit of letting go of these stressful thoughts.
This in turn allows you to be free to enjoy whatever you’re doing in the moment.
Worrying isn’t planning
Remember, when you identify and dismiss worrying thoughts you are not ignoring your problems or denying reality, you’re just trivialising any worrying thoughts that may drift into your mind.
Later, when you schedule planning time and are in a calm and rational mood, you can think constructively about how you’re going to address the problem.
This is different to worrying and overthinking, as you’re actually looking for practical ways to solve issues, and to take action on your plans.
Sometimes it can be a good idea to set aside 10-15 minutes every night that you use for “worry time”, and save up all your worry for then.
When worrying thoughts enter your head during the day, you can think: “I’ll worry about that during my worry time tonight”.
It may sound silly, but this simple exercise has actually been shown to reduce stress in anxious people.
But I have to worry, you say
You might be thinking, that’s all very well in theory, but I need to worry.
- I have big important issues to think about!
- It’s my job to worry, that’s what I get paid good money for.
- I have to worry constantly about my kids, otherwise I wouldn’t be a good mother.
But always remember – worrying and overthinking doesn’t achieve anything (apart from stress, anxiety and depression). The sooner you can learn to let go of it, the happier you will be.
So stop worrying and stressing, and start living!
Copyright (C) 2025 Eclipse Life Coaching Ltd
