How to Cope With Worry

By eHow Health Editor

Rate: (4 Ratings)

Worrying is an inevitable part of life, but there's no need to let it dominate yours. Here are some tips for overcoming anxiety.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Pinpoint the exact cause of your worries. If you feel vaguely uneasy or agitated, sort through your feelings to determine exactly what is troubling you.

Step2

Tackle the worry straight on. Thinking about the worst possible outcome you could face might help you realize that the likely outcome is not as bad as you feared.

Step3

Reflect on your past ' what you worried about, the sorts of bad things that happened. You may realize that even unexpected bad fortune didn't turn out as bad as you might imagine, and that you learned a great deal or somehow benefited from it.

Step4

Realize that worrying will not improve the situation ' you cannot prevent bad outcomes simply by fretting.

Step5

Take action to better the situation. Do what is within your power to prevent undesirable turns of events.

Step6

Have confidence in your personal ability to weather challenges. Review your strengths, the challenges you've overcome in the past and the people around you who can offer support.

Tips & Warnings

Worries might stem from a lack of information. In this case, learn as much as you can about your situation. More knowledge means less fear and the possibility of gaining more control.

Comments

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Chronic worrying is nothing you need in your life to survive. If you worry all the time, regardless of what it is you worry about, talk to your doctor. You may have a chemical imbalance in your body. A psychiatrist is trained to deal with this issue. Don't suffer any longer. You definitely don't suffer alone.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 I once heard this saying (author unknown): "Worry is like a rocking chair - it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere."

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Place a note "WORRY" where you'll see it often. Each time you find yourself worrying, STOP, then imagine yourself tossing that worry behind you. Then go on. At first you will find yourself doing this frequently, but soon you'll be a different person.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Be thankful instead of worrying. Just replace that worry time with something--anything else. Get busy. My best bet is to go outside to nature, look up at the sky, and be so glad I am free and in such a beautiful world. It may sound corny, but it works.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Worry is useless. When you start to worry, ask three questions: What control do I have over this thing, what is the worst that could happen if this thing comes to be, and don't the things we worry about the most almost never happen?
Now, go have fun.

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