How to Stop Worrying

Do you worry too much and want to know how to stop worrying?

Why do we worry so much? There seems to be an endless string of bad news and plenty to worry about today. The economy, global warming, terrorist's attacks, child abductions, cancer ads are everywhere, flu and diseases and crime. Because the media constantly reports bad news and news is delivered quickly today, we are constantly surrounded with messages that we are in danger.

We also have plenty to worry about in our own personal lives. We worry about our children, our health, our jobs and even what other people think about us. Are we too fat? Misfits – don't fit in? What if people find out who we really are and don't like us?

We may have become a nation of worriers, but some people seem to be born worriers. There is some scientific evidence that there is a genetic component to chronic worriers.

Who is the person who worries too much?

Worriers are often very intelligent. They are able to see all of the things that can go wrong in a situation and effectively plan how to prevent them. Most highly successful people worry quite a lot. Many worriers are highly creative and imaginative. It can take a vivid imagination to conjure of all of the terrible things that can happen. Often very intelligent children show signs of excessive worry.

Should you stop worrying or is it actually beneficial?

Fear is part of being alive and all living creatures show signs of fear. It is wired into us to insure our survival. You cannot be alive and never feel fear, but there is a point that fear becomes more of a hindrance than protects us.

Studies have shown that some anxiety before a tests or athletic performance can actually improve performance but only up to a point. When anxiety reaches too high a level, our performance actually decreases. The trick in life is to find the balance between worrying just enough to protect us but not allowing excessive worrying to harm us and decrease our quality of life.

How do you know if you worry too much?

1. Do you feel worried about something every day?
    
2. Do you often wish you worried less?
   
3. Have other people told you that you worry too much?
   
4. Does worry keep you from getting a good night's sleep?
   
5. Do you know that everything is alright but you find yourself worrying anyway?
   
6. Have you done poorly on a test in school because you were so nervous you find yourself forgetful?
   
7. Do you often worry about your health or death, even when you are perfectly healthy?
   
8. Do you find it difficult to stop worrying once you start/?
   
9. Do you get so nervous before a performance that your hands shake or you feel nauseous?
   
10. Do you worry a lot about money even when you have no trouble paying your bills?
    
11. Have you ever worried so much that it clouded your judgment or prevented you from taking any action at all?
    
12. Do you often feel a sense of dread or that something bad is about to happen when there is no apparent cause for concern?
    
13. Do you tend to be pessimistic and often feel things are not going to work out well?
    
14. Do you still worrying a lot even when you have received reassurances from others that everything is ok.
    
15. Do you tend to ruminate or go over the same negative thoughts in your mind and find it difficult or impossible to stop?
    
16. Does your worrying cause you to procrastinate often?
    
17. Have you used drugs or alcohol to help you cope with excessive worrying?
    
18. Are there other close family members who worry a lot or have anxiety disorders?
    
19. Do you ever feel that your excessive worrying about something bad that could happen might actually help prevent it from happening?

If you answered yes to more than a few of these questions, you may have a problem with worry and can benefit from learning how to stop worrying too much.

 Panic Away

If you worry too much, I highly recommend this revolutionary program created by Joe Barry. It includes an ebook you can instantly download and CDs you can listen to for convenience.

He teaches a technique you can learn to do yourself that will alleviate your anxiety in seconds! Click here to learn more...