Learn how to stop worrying

Are you a chronic worrier? 

Do you find yourself constantly worrying about the future and worst-case scenarios? 

If so, you're not alone. Worrying is a part of daily life, and while it may seem harmless, excessive worry can have harmful impacts on both your physical and mental health. But don’t worry—in this article, we'll explore the science of worry and provide you with techniques to stop worrying and build a worry-free lifestyle.

Unraveling worry: Understanding its roots

Worrying is a common experience that involves anxious thoughts and worst-case scenarios that manifest into physical symptoms such as muscle tension and panic attacks. 

Although common, cycles of worry can be difficult to break. So understanding the psychological and physiological mechanisms behind worry can help you develop effective techniques to manage it.

The science of worry

The neuroscience behind worrying shows that chronic worry can lead to changes in brain structure and function, making it even harder to break the cycle of worry. 

But why do you worry in the first place?

Psychologically, worrying can be seen as a form of cognitive avoidance, where you try to protect yourself from negative outcomes by anticipating them in advance. This may seem like a helpful strategy, but it often leads to negative thinking patterns and a sense of being stuck in the cycle of worry.

Physiologically, worrying triggers your body's stress response system, causing physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, shallow breathing, and muscle tension. Over a certain amount of time, chronic worrying can lead to changes in brain structure and function, making it even harder to break the cycle of worry.

By understanding the mechanisms behind worrying, you can develop strategies to manage it effectively and prevent it from taking over your life.

Recognizing unhealthy worry

Worrying is a natural part of life, but it's important to distinguish between normal and unhealthy worrying. 

Normal worrying is occasional and temporary and can even be helpful in motivating you to take action. On the other hand, unhealthy, constant worrying is excessive and persistent and can have physical, emotional, and social consequences, which we’ll discuss next. 

The impact of chronic worry

Chronic worrying can have a significant impact on your overall well-being. Physically, it can cause symptoms such as muscle tension, headaches, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping. Emotionally, it can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, irritability, and inability to concentrate. And socially, it can affect your relationships with others and your ability to participate in social activities.

If left unchecked, chronic worrying can lead to anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). These disorders are characterized by persistent worry and fear that interfere with your daily activities and quality of life.

Coping skills for mental health to break down worry

Managing worry can be challenging, but there are several effective techniques that can help, including the following: 

1. Mindfulness meditation

Mindfulness meditation involves paying attention to the present moment and fully engaging with your current experience without judgment. By focusing on your breath or other bodily sensations, you’ll learn to observe your thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them, and you'll reduce your anxiety and worries in the process.

‍

To practice mindfulness meditation, try the following steps:

1. Sit in a comfortable position and focus on your breath.
2. Observe your thoughts as they arise, but don't judge them or try to change them.
3. When you find yourself getting caught up in a worry, gently redirect your attention back to your breath.

2. Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that involves identifying and challenging your negative thoughts and replacing them with more positive ones. This can be done with the help of a therapist or through self-help resources.

To apply CBT techniques in everyday life, try the following steps:

1. Identify negative thoughts that contribute to your worrying. To help you better conceptualize them, try to write down your worries. 
2. Challenge those thoughts by asking yourself if they are based on facts or assumptions.
3. Replace negative thoughts with more positive ones.

3. Breathing and relaxation exercises

Deep breathing and relaxation exercises can help reduce your worries by also reducing physical symptoms such as muscle tension. Try taking deep breaths and focusing on relaxing each muscle group in your body.

To practice relaxation exercises, try the following steps:

1. Sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
2. Close your eyes and take several deep breaths.
3. Focus on relaxing each muscle group in your body, starting with your toes and working your way up to your head.

By incorporating these techniques into your daily routine, you’re well on your way to building resilience against worry and anxiety. But if you want to take things to the next level, keep reading to learn how.

Building a worry-free lifestyle

In addition to techniques for managing worry, there are several lifestyle changes you can make to reduce stress and anxiety. So here are some tips for building a worry-free lifestyle:

Exercise and diet

Regular exercise and a healthy diet can have a positive impact on both your physical and mental health. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood-boosters that can help reduce your stress and anxiety. Plus, eating a balanced diet full of whole foods and avoiding processed foods and sugar can also have a calming effect on your mind.

To incorporate exercise and healthy eating into your routine, try the following:

• Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.
• Choose activities that you enjoy, such as walking, biking, or swimming, so you’re more likely to follow through with it.
• Eat a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and healthy fats.
• Avoid processed foods and sugary drinks.

Social connections and hobbies

Social connections and engaging in hobbies can also help alleviate worry by providing a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Spending time with your friends and family, joining social groups or clubs that interest you, and pursuing hobbies that you enjoy can all help reduce your stress and anxiety.

Want to start strengthening your social connections and nurture your hobbies? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Schedule regular time with friends or family members.
• Join a social group or club that interests you.
• Pursue hobbies that you enjoy, such as gardening, painting, or playing music.

Professional help for chronic worrying

If you find that your worry is interfering with your daily life and these techniques are not enough to manage it, it may be time to seek professional help—and that’s okay. 

Here are some reasons why and when you should consider seeking professional help for excessive worrying:

• If your worry is causing significant distress or impairment in your daily life.
• If you are experiencing physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or difficulty sleeping due to worry.
• If your worry is interfering with your work, relationships, or other important areas of your life.

Therapy and counseling

Therapy and counseling can be effective in managing excessive worry with professional help, and there are different types of therapies available depending on your needs:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): This type of therapy focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns that contribute to worry.
• Mindfulness-based therapies: These therapies incorporate mindfulness practices such as meditation and deep breathing exercises to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety.
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): This type of therapy helps individuals learn to accept their thoughts and feelings without judgment and develop skills to manage them more effectively.

When seeking professional help for excessive worrying, it's important to find a therapist who has experience in treating anxiety disorders. A mental health professional can help you determine which type of therapy is best suited to your needs.

In addition to therapy, medication may also be recommended if you have severe anxiety or panic disorder. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can be effective in reducing symptoms of excessive worry.

By seeking professional help, you can get the support and guidance you need to manage excessive worrying and improve your overall well-being. And remember: Doing so isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength and self-awareness.

Manage worry with ease using the Balance app

Worrying is a natural part of life, but excessive worry can have harmful impacts on your physical and mental health. By understanding the roots of worry, recognizing unhealthy worry, and practicing mindfulness techniques to stop worrying, you can build a worry-free lifestyle and improve your overall well-being.

And if you’re looking for more tools to help you manage worry, consider checking out the Balance app. This app provides guided meditations, breathing exercises, and other relaxation techniques to help you reduce anxiety and stress.

More specifically, Balance offers a guided Anxiety meditation, which is personalized based on what you're feeling anxious about—like a past event, a future event, or just general anxiety. It's a quick and healthy way to move your attention away from any anxious thoughts swirling through your head and find much-needed calm and stability. 

Or, in moments of high stress or worry, Balance offers a guided SOS meditation. You’ll learn to take control of your breathing to help steady yourself. Then you drop your attention down into your body, focusing on the stability of the surface beneath you.

So what are you waiting for? Download Balance on iOS and Android today!