We can literally worry ourselves sick.  We worry over everything from our bank account balance, to our kids picking up some strange disease or worse yet, strange friends. The reality is more than 90 percent of our worries never happen. It’s when our concerns become constant worry that they can lead to anxiety, depression and incredible stress in our lives. Are you one of those worriers who run through hundreds of “what if” scenarios? If so, take note. You can learn to let go of what worries you. Awareness is the single most important cure to stopping this self-destructive worry habit and reducing stress in our lives.

Stop Worrying with These 7 Tips

1. Discover Your Joy. Find three things you love and commit to doing them. Go for a walk at your favorite park, plan a picnic, see a funny movie, learn to meditate or volunteer at a pet shelter. Filling your life with things you love helps increase happiness, reducing stress and worry.
2. Write Down Worries. Look at the worst and best case scenarios to any problem so you can face the reality of your situation and deal with it. Or put your worries away in a worry box.  Discipline your mind that you will not think about it again. Once a day, open the box and begin to make choices.
3. See Your Solutions. You’ll see the possible choices or solutions to resolve your problem.  Create a plan for each worry. Realize you have the ability to turn obstacles into opportunities for happiness.
4. Bare Your Burdens. Your spouse and your friends need to be aware of what’s going on in your life. Agree to unload a worry when it lasts 24 hours by phone or email.  Sharing worry helps diffuse it and creates healing hormones in the body that begin to calm and heal you.
5. Listen Clearly. What you are thinking and saying? If it’s negative, stop yourself, and repeat a positive affirmation, such as “I am strong” or “all is well.”  Repeat this simple phrase over as you slowly breathe in and out.  Studies show stress reduction practices help you worry less.
6. Be Aware of Blessings. When you begin to worry, stop and smile and be aware of the blessings in your life, a friend, a pet, a job or your health. Studies tell us daily gratitude exercises resulted in higher levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, optimism, and energy.
7. Detect Danger & Substitute Serenity. Be aware when worry begins to take over your thoughts and learn your worry triggers.  Instead of letting worry run rampant, chose to surround yourself with the sun, the ocean or whatever is pleasing to you through guided imagery. Practice Pilates, Yoga, tai-chi, or chi-gong to center yourself and clear your mind of worries. Studies show serenity practices produce a more positive perspective on life.