Published 2 min read
When worry takes over
How to tell helpful worry from the exhausting kind, and a few ways of responding to it more calmly.
Everyone worries. Worry tells us that something matters — an exam, a loved one's health, work we want to do well. Sometimes, though, anxiety stops being a signal and turns into background noise that never quite fades.
Helpful worry and exhausting worry
Helpful worry is usually tied to a specific problem and nudges us to act: we prepare, ask, plan. Exhausting worry goes round in circles. It jumps from one possible disaster to the next and rarely leads to a solution — only to more "what ifs".
What might help
Notice it, without arguing. Rather than trying to convince yourself there's nothing to worry about, try simply naming what's happening: "I'm imagining the worst again." Naming it often creates a little distance.
Bring your attention back to your body. Slow breathing out, feeling your feet on the floor, or a short walk can ease the physical tension that feeds the thoughts.
Give worry a time slot. Some people find it useful to set aside a short time each day to think about their concerns deliberately — and to postpone worries until then when they pop up at other times.
When to reach out
If worry is affecting your sleep, work or relationships, or you find yourself avoiding more and more situations, it may be time to talk to a psychologist. You don't need to wait until things get very hard.
This article is for general information and isn't a substitute for an individual consultation.
These articles are for general information and are not medical or psychological advice about any individual situation.
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