Wasting Time on Worry!

OMG…I spent the last month worrying about something that I now know was based on a false belief! Not only did I waste time worrying, I was angry at times and my back hurt and I was avoiding things. Turns out it was a problem that took an hour to solve.

Boy do I wish I had that time back. So many times we spend endless hours in our head trying to solve a perceived problem without fact checking the problem. Why does it seem easier to worry than pick up the phone and get answers?

We often go to the worst answer and don’t think we can handle it. What if I go see the doctor and this annoying headache is a brain tumor? What if I ask for the raise and the boss fires me? What if I tell someone I’m sorry and they don’t accept the apology?

Well….what if you do nothing and you do have a brain tumor, get fired, someone stays mad at you? The issue doesn’t go away just because we ignore it.  And how often is the worst case the answer?

In this case my worst case wasn’t even close and the answer was better than the current situation. Go figure?

When our mind goes to the worst case scenario we then avoid. This is a coping skill, but not a helpful one. It doesn’t solve the problem and often wastes a lot of time and emotional energy on worrying about something that is not going to happen.

Mindfulness can help us recognize the symptoms associated with fear and anxiety and that allows us to evaluate the fear and fact check it. If you find yourself worrying a lot over something that you are not willing to get more information on, it is time to examine the reasons why.

Having a daily mindfulness practice can help us “avoid avoidance.”  The short time of daily practice allows for clarity on what our thoughts are and rather or not they are based in reality or blown out of proportion. We can also be reminded of our strengths and that can give us the courage to face our fears.

Look your fears in the face and come up with a plan of action to take test their validity. Think about all the times in the past your inflated fears have turned out to be wrong. Recognize that you are strong enough to handle even the worst of news and that you have supports to lean on when you need them.

But please, join me in stopping the wasted time on worries that are likely false beliefs!