Counselor’s Corner
Are You Worried?
By Susan Cadley
“I have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.” ~ Mark Twain
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as prices, the weather, the stock market, unemployment, these are just a few things people are worried about lately.
And then there are things closer to home; health challenges, child care, conflicts with spouses, friends, work, relatives, bills, the list could go on and on. Of course these are all things in life to have concern about, but worrying takes concern to a different level. Worry is when a thought process goes round and round without closure. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition of worry is to afflict with mental distress or agitation: make anxious. Constant worrying causes you to enter into a state of immobilization that can lead to anxiety, apathy, and depression.
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Worry left unchecked can move into the anxiety arena. It can begin to cause disruption in one’s social and work life and physical body. If you are distracted by worry, you may not concentrate as well on your work or take time for your personal relationships and both may suffer. Author and motivational speaker Mike Dooley explains what happens when a person worries; “basically, they think of 100 reasons why something might go wrong. And all of those thoughts then struggle to become things, sometimes overriding their more constructive thoughts.” By worrying incessantly, your subconscious mind can actually begin to go to work to create the negative outcome you are worried about. And with your mind being so distracted with worry, you may miss out on flashes of insight or ideas on how to handle what you are worried about.
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Worry can also take its toll on the physical body. Your body reacts to your worry thoughts, believing something terrible is going to happen. Your internal, built in security systems that are designed to help you in a survival situation, can kick into high gear. These systems are meant for emergencies, not be on alarm at all times. When this happens, physical symptoms can appear because the systems become overtaxed and over stimulated. So what can you do about worry? Take action. By taking control over what you can affect, you ease the tension worry creates. And for the things you cannot control, you must surrender and let go eventually. Action Plan for Worry Warts: n Write down all your worries. Next to each one, create an action plan with ideas and dates. Make it concrete. n Set aside “worry time”. For example; from 7pm to 8pm, you allow yourself to sit and worry. If you begin to worry during other times of the day, stop and remind yourself of worry time and save it for later. n Tell someone you trust about your worry. Brainstorm with them about possible solutions. n Ask yourself; is it really true? Check in with yourself about the validity and reality about what you are worrying about. Ponder past worries. Did your worrying help or hurt you? In uncertain times, become empowered and take action where you can. By loosening the hold worry has on you, you open yourself to a myriad of possibilities for yourself and your life. Susan Cadley, LPC, Licensed Professional Counselor, is available for couples counseling and adult individual counseling, workshops and book studies in Suwanee, GA. She may be reached directly and confidentially at 678-296-1278, www.coachingforyoursoul.com
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