Worry worry worry

So I'm going out on a limb here and say that most people who read my blog are women, judging that based on the title of the blog and the titles of most of my entries. That being said, most women are big worriers. It's something ingrained in our DNA to worry constantly. We worry about big things, frivolous things, and everything in the middle. Me? I'm probably one of the biggest worriers you'll ever meet. I worry if I can't get a hold of my husband on the phone when I know he's supposed to be traveling somewhere. I worry if he was supposed to be home a while ago and I can't get a hold of him. I worry that my baby isn't eating enough vegetables. I worry that she isn't really speaking a whole lot at 18 months. It's a constant battle against ourselves. A lot of people say there's really nothing that can be done about it. There are a lot of sayings about worry that don't really do a whole lotta good - "Worry is like a rocking chair, you do all that work and never get anywhere." What's your point? Worry is not a switch that I can turn on and off. It's just there. But there are ways we can deal with it and possibly even help us worry a little less.

First of all, sometimes we just need to realistically sit back and reevaluate the situation. Some things that seem big are really small. But in the midst of the situation it can be hard to recognize. So when worry hits in a major way, literally take a deep breath. You know like they tell you at the doctor. Then either tell yourself literally out loud or in your head, okay stop. For some big worriers saying it out loud actually commands your brain to stop it's 500 mile an hour worst case scenario path which ultimately gives you a moment to reassess the problem. Is this really that big of a deal? So you forgot the chips to the Bar-be-Que ... I think people will survive.

After that step, gather as much information as you can about the situation. Consider the worst possible scenario and gather facts.Whether that be reanalyzing in your mind what is happening, or doing some research on the internet. My dog ate my sock will he die? By the way my dog has eaten many many a things and hasn't died yet. Consulting the great google god's can definitely bring you down a peg or two or fifty on the worryometer. Just analyze what you can and reevaluate. So yes, your dog could die if he ate something he's not supposed to, what can we do to prevent that? How likely is that to actually happen? Fact gather - NOT suspicions or hunches but actual facts about the situation.

Then figure out some action steps. If you even need any. I can't get a hold of my husband and he was supposed to be home 40 minutes ago, if he isn't home in 30 minutes and I still haven't heard from him I will either A. call authorities or B. drive his known route home. No one wants to be out screaming in the streets their spouse is dead if all he did was stop and buy you flowers on his way home! Check your facts and come up with sound solid action steps you can take to rectify the situation if possible.

This is one of my favorite go to's. But it may not suit everyone. I pray. I am a spiritual person and I literally consult my Bible if it is definitely something big, but I don't have much control over it. Take for example a problem at work. Your boss is now considering the details of your report. There's nothing you can do at that point. So I open my Bible and in almost every instance I open to something relevant. I don't think  that coincidence can happen that often! If you are unfamiliar with the Bible (or even if you are familiar just not sure where to turn) here are some EXCELLENT words of advice. Phillipians 4:6-7 (That is chapter 4 verses 6-7) "Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you." Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 28:16, Matthew 11:28, and Matthew 6:34 one of my all time favorites "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today." There are many more stories and passages about worry in the Bible, and a very comforting fact is religion or a belief in something greater than yourself. Knowing that someone has your back when you can't is incredibly comforting. I am a Christian and many times over I rely on my God to make the weak areas in my life strong. It's a big relief knowing you don't have to go through it alone!

The fact of the matter is this. We all worry, but too much worry causes things we don't like. Worry leads to excess stress which in turn gives us gray hair, weight gain, insomnia, heart problems and many many more undesirable side effects. So lets follow a few steps and keep that worry in check. No one should lead a constant life of fear of the unknown or maybe. We like you, we'd like you to be in the present with the rest of us!!

So hang in there worry warts! There is help to calm those what if days and help you lead a less stressful more productive life!

Take care and fear less!
Christie