Worrying affects us all, it’s like we can’t stop thinking about something bothering us, that persistent fear of whats to come, can keep us standing still in our tracks. That halting feeling of not being able to move forward stuck in the present, affecting the decisions we make. It’s important to recognize what that worry means, and really think about where it is coming from. Processing that worry in the present, may help to reduce the negative effects of worrying. In fact: “Worry and perseverative thought are … processes that have been linked to negative health effects.” [1] 

It’s our thoughts that protect us from the negative side effects. One study claims: “More worry [and] uncontrollable train of thoughts predicted lower likelihood of a negative emotional contrast … and higher likelihood of a positive emotional contrast.” [2] Anxiety can be a contributing factor to our worrying, that “intolerable uncertainty,” its through acceptance that we prevent that kind of “emotion dysregulation.” [3] 

It’s common to think that worrying in some way “prevent[s] bad things from happening.” [4] In actuality it does the exact opposite “it can lead to feelings of high anxiety and even cause you to be physically ill.” [5] That feeling of impending doom is something talked about in AA, and also in thought disorder IOP program, that unrealistic belief in something that maybe isnt in existence until we allow ourselves to think so. To control your worrying ask yourself is this thought true, or is this something that Im thinking thats really doing me a disservice. 

Learn how to keep it positive. When we are thinking positively we are more in control of our thoughts and not let our worry and our negative thoughts control us. Pay attention to your triggers, and come up with a plan for dealing with these feelings before they disorient you cause an  “irrational [belief] that you can’t focus on reality or think clearly.” [6] To combat this imbalance, be sure to talk to your doctor, try to relax, reduce your caffeine intake, exercise daily get your steps in, meditate, have a strong social network of supportive people in your life, and talk to a therapist. [7] 

References:

[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6675025/

[2] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6675025/

[3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6675025/

[4] https://www.webmd.com/balance/how-worrying-affects-your-body

[5] https://www.webmd.com/balance/how-worrying-affects-your-body

[6] https://www.webmd.com/balance/how-worrying-affects-your-body

[7] https://www.webmd.com/balance/how-worrying-affects-your-body