Everyone worries from time to time, and according to a 2020 survey, 59% of respondents reported feeling anxious on a daily basis. Whether you're preparing for an important presentation at work or going through difficult personal changes, it's normal to have sleepless nights from time to time.
However, worrying too much can make it difficult for you to enjoy life. But first, let's clear up some reasons why we are worried.
Your bodies are designed to protect you, and when you sense a threat (real or not), a stress signal is sent to the brain. In everyday life, this can manifest itself in the form of anxiety. And while it can be helpful in some cases, it often becomes a constant cycle that can be difficult to stop.
Fear of losing control
Although people can worry for a wide variety of reasons, it mostly comes from a position of fear—fear of being judged or fear of something happening beyond their control.
Excessive concern
Anxious people may have trouble refraining from excessively worrying thoughts.
If you want to free your life from anxiety and learn how to stop worrying, see in the following lines how you can do this.
Embrace uncertainty
Once you've isolated your unproductive worries, it's time to identify the things you need to adopt to overcome them. You may have to accept your own limitations or accept that there is some degree of uncertainty that you must accept. For example, it is very likely that you will get some disease someday, as no one knows what the future holds.
Many anxious people equate uncertainty with bad thoughts, but uncertainty is really neutral. When you accept that uncertainty is normal, you no longer need to worry. Acceptance means knowing it's there, letting go of focusing on the things you can't control, and just enjoying the things that bring you joy.
Stop worrying by practicing mindfulness and meditation
While you are worrying, it may be difficult for you to focus on anything else. However, constantly dwelling on negative thoughts is a bad habit. When you feel your concentration slipping, sitting in a quiet room – clearing your mind can do wonders for your well-being. Mindfulness and meditation can shift your focus away from negative thoughts, rid you of anxious feelings, and instill a state of calm.
You can also use meditation apps to clear your mind and redirect your thoughts away from worries. Over time, meditation can also help you enter a state of harmony that allows you to focus on your priorities. Learning to focus on what's in front of you instead of your worries can really change your life.
Focus on what you are grateful for
When we focus on one negative thought, it prompts your brain to search for more. In contrast, searching for a positive thought can help you train your brain to look for positive things and break the cycle of worry. This is one of the reasons why a daily gratitude practice can be so beneficial and even life-changing. Having trouble finding something to be thankful for? Take a step back and look for what is interesting or funny in a particular situation.
Engage your mind through curiosity and humor. This can quickly provide you with a much-needed break from negative thoughts. You can even try being curious about the way you worry. While it may take practice to learn to turn your negative thoughts into positive ones, it can be a great way to stop worrying.
