Worry No More

I once read that worry is like a rocking chair; it keeps you busy but doesn't get you anywhere. Are you a worry wart? Do you find worrying eating up a lot of your time.

When you make your daily 'to do' list, try to get at least one thing on there that is time-critical and you are afraid to do it. This could be getting a cavity filled, asking for a raise, or getting a new home loan. It's easy to find these things. They are the ones eating away at your gut. Take an action, any action in this direction. Think of it like a chess game, and it's your turn to move the piece. Move that piece, and you'll feel better. The pressure will be off of you for now.

Getting that out of the way first thing in the morning will free up energy for more fun pursuits.

Guess when I worry the most? When I'm really tired, usually right before I go to bed. If the minute you lay down your mind is like a run away train, get in the habit of keeping a book nearby, or play a book on tape. Soon your brain will be in the story, not in whether or not you'll have enough for the heating bill on Friday. You'll soon find yourself nodding off.

If your phone is blinking and you forgot to check it, do your best not to check it until the morning. Otherwise your peace of mind might be ruined and it's almost always something you can't do anything about until morning anyway.

If you are too suggestible, your mood will swing whenever something new crosses your path. This could be a news-story about an Earthquake in China, a relative telling you about every person she's ever known that's had cancer, or or a website telling you about the latest plane crash.

Most of this you can do nothing about. So if you are getting overwhelmed, turn off the news, get good at changing the subject around your relatives, and stop clicking on disaster websites. Wait until you feel better to do that.

Or call someone that always makes you feel cheerful. Be a good listener and help them to feel cheerful too.

HALT stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired...the key factors in depression. Practice repeating 'this too shall pass.' No matter how bad it is, your mood cannot stay the same forever. If you are hungry, eat. If you are lonely, call someone. If you are angry, write in your journal or throw a pot or make a loaf of bread or write a song.

If you are tired, take a warm bath and call it a night.

Attack the problem at it's root.

Put on some music that always makes you feel better. Look at some goofy drawing your kid made you. Put on some red panties. Wear a silly hat. Do something to change your mood that has no bad side effects.

If all else fails, email me. Sometimes just knowing someone else in the world cares will do wonders.