How not to worry about?

When was the last time somebody said to you, "Don't worry about it"? Worry is one of those things all of us do at some point, to a greater or lesser extent. I was thinking about this because of a conversation I had with a friend, who was worried about the fact that her mother was worried about something! Most people have enough stress in their lives without adding worrying into the mix.

But I know it's hard to stop worrying. It is actually a habit we get into. And it's ironic that most of the things we tend to worry about either happened in the past, over which we have no control, or haven't even happened yet, or are just possibilities. The author-physician A. J. Cronin once sat down and analyzed the worries of his patients. This is what he found:

Things that never happen 40%
Things in the past that can't be changed by worry 30%
Health worries 12%
Miscellaneous, petty worries 10%
Real, legitimate worries 8%

Now, there's nothing wrong with feeling concern over a problem or situation, and then taking steps to deal with it. But worrying actually paralyzes us, and often there is no action to take, because what we're worrying about in fact hasn't happened. And when worrying gets out of hand, it can lead to other troubles such as "burnout" and other stress-related illnesses.

So, what can you do to stop worrying? Analyze what is worrying you. Is it something that has happened, or only a "what if"? If it's something that has happened, get the facts, make a plan, and take action. Share what is worrying you with a friend or loved one. If it's a "what if?" situation, instead of only imagining the worst, think of three or more positive possibilities. After all, they're just as likely to happen as the negative scenario you've imagined for yourself.

And remember what the popular song says, "Don't worry, be happy."