I heard the song "Don't worry, be happy" played on the radio today. It prompted me to think about how I've been sleeping well and feeling happy in general. I can't remember the last time I worry about something. So I decided to place the positive before the negative and name this post "Be happy, don't worry" :)
When something bothers me or makes me feel worried, I think about it then act. I don't let it stay in my mind for too long as I find if I let the worry sit, it weighs me down. I've used one or more of the following simple techniques to bust my worry.
12 simple ways to bust worry:
1. Make a list of the worries. By writing them down, I get them off my mind and onto my notepad.
2. Analyze the list. I separate my worries into two buckets: what's within my control, and what's outside of my control. Sometimes by reviewing the list, I realize that some of my worries are repetitive, and I actually have less to worry about.
3. Act on what's within my control. Even simple actions like doing the next few techniques make me feel that I'm progressing towards a resolution to my worry.
4. Talk to someone close. This usually gives me a different perspective and by getting my worry off my chest, I feel better.
5. Go for a walk somewhere close to nature or exercise. Nature has an amazing way of calming my mind, or distracting me from thinking of my worry. Exercise is a great stress reliever.
6. Meditate with deep breathing. By focusing on my breath, I'm not thinking about my worry or anything else. Deep breathing is known to relax our body.
7. Find humour like call my funniest friend, watch a comedy, or read a comic book. Laughing is a great stress reliever, too.
8. Focus on three good things that happened. This usually makes me realize that it's not all bad, in fact, it's actually been pretty good.
9. Take a warm bath to relax. If I have lavender-scented or lemon-scented bath mix on hand, I'll use it.
10. Look at cheerful colours like a nice bouquet of fresh flowers or a cheerful picture.
11. Listen to soothing music. Either soothing music alone, or the combination of listening to a soothing play list and walking usually makes me feel so much better.
12. Accept that there will always be uncertainty and "this too shall pass". When I think of my past worries, I don't remember what they were so they can't be that important.
I hope your day is happy and worry-free. If you're worrying about something, try the above techniques and see if they work for you.
If you have other ways to overcome worry, please share.
Natalie, these are great suggestions. I tend to be a worry wart, although I have found that since I have retired, I am a lot less stressed and I don’t worry nearly as much. I use all of the strategies that you have listed, and also journaling. I find that when I am really obsessing about a particular issue, writing about it helps me work through my emotions and also sometimes leads to a solution or course of action.
ReplyDeleteJude
Journaling is an excellent strategy, Jude. It gets the worry off our mind even if briefly, and helps us work through the emotions like you said. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your strategy.
DeleteI like to walk and I often listen to an audiobook while I pound the pavement. I should do it more often. Thanks for sharing your tips.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kate, for your visit and comment. Walking and listening to an audio book are much better for our health than worrying.
DeleteGood list - it's interesting to see how we all deal with it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lydia, for your visit and comment. It's great to learn from others via blogging.
DeleteA great list, Natalie. I like how all your points help in taking control of the source of worry and giving your mind something else to focus on instead that will also be more productive.
ReplyDeleteSSG xxx
You're right on, SSG. I find taking actions within my control and distracting myself with something positive is a better use of my time and energy than worrying. Thank you for dropping by.
DeleteI love this list of ways to deal with worry. I do a lot of these too and they definitely help me.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kirsty, for your visit and comment. I keep this list handy as the techniques are simple and most of them are useful to do year round.
DeleteWe are on the same wavelength this week Natalie except I only wrote a four ways. I love your 12 tips and as a worrier I can certainly use all the help I can get! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteSue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
I wouldn't have guessed that you're a worrier, Sue. Glad to share my list with you. Thank you for dropping by. Have a fabulous week!
DeleteA couple of people have said the same but yes I do worry. I think my writing helps because as I'm advising others I'm advising myself. Thanks for sharing this post at #midlifesharethelove it was just what I needed this morning. I've shared on social media. xx
DeleteGlad to share, Sue. Thanks for hosting.
DeleteGreat suggestions! I also love taking a bath or going for a nature walk to get my mind off worries. Or watching Netflix haha!
ReplyDeleteDi from Max The Unicorn
Thanks, Di, for your visit and comment. Walking, taking a warm bath, or watching fun entertainment would be better for our health than worrying.
DeleteI have always been a bit of a worrier and have tried a number of different ways to deal with my worries over the year. I've found the app "My Calm Beat" really great for helping with deep breathing because it includes a visual I can focus on, rather than closing my eyes and hoping my mind doesn't wonder off.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Budget Mums, for your visit and sharing the app you use. Focus on a visual and deep breathing are effective ways to relax our mind and body.
DeleteGreat tips, Natalie. They work for “small worries” or when things get a bit too much. Walking and talking always helps. When the issues are deeper and longer term, the going gets tough, for days, weeks, months, or even years. Pretty miserable, despite the small and rare joys. Outsiders have a hard time understanding what you go through, their reply being “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to say.” Again and again. To the point where I want to stop complaining and suck it all up. I often try to feel better by telling myself that this, too, shall pass, at some point. And, that things could “always be worse”. My husband hates it when I say this.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Liesbet, for your comment. Yes, these 12 ways work for most worries to redirect our focus and energy on something better for our well-being. Deeper and longer term issues may take longer to be resolved. I'd still use some of the 12 techniques to put me in a better frame of mind though.
DeleteWe are "Don't worry, be happy" twins :)
ReplyDeleteGreat minds think alike :)
DeleteLove this take and look how many people have benefitted from your words. Thanks for linking up for #lifethisweek 7/52. Next week's optional prompt: February Is...
ReplyDeleteBlogging is sharing. Thanks, Denyse, for your comment and hosting the link up.
DeleteGreat suggestions Natalie! After years and years I have finally realized it is what it is, and I let go of the worry of things that I can't do anything about.
ReplyDeleteLet go of the worry makes us feel lighter. Thanks, Susanne, for your visit and comment.
DeleteGetting out in nature is a good one! Don't worry, Be happy is one of those songs that you can't staya miserable listening to :)
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Alicia, about the song. Bobby McFerrin's video clip is pretty funny, too. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteFabulous advice, Natalie. I just wrote a blog about the affects of color on our moods, so it made me smile that looking at bright colors was one of your suggestions. I also find being in nature particularly soothing. If nothing else, it reminds me that my worries are a tiny speck in the vast universe. Have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteNature and bright colours are very therapeutic. Thanks, Christie, for stopping by. You have a happy day, too!
DeleteI've been reading a lot of blog posts lately on reducing worry - it certainly is an issue for Midlifers (I think it was how we were raised!) I'm very fond of the the "this too shall pass" quote because in essence, it is absolutely true. So many of my worries have turned out to be wasted time and now I'm learning to let things go and see how they work out - the worrying just saps my strength and achieves nothing. Thanks for linking up with #MLSTL
ReplyDeleteLet go of worries will make us feel lighter and easier to rise. Thanks, Leanne, for hosting the MLSTL link up.
DeleteGreat advice. Tweeted your post :) Thank you from a Midlife Share the Love Party :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jo, for stopping by and sharing.
DeleteI really need to remember these rules. It will really help me. Thanks for sharing them. #MLSTL
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patrick, for stopping by. Hope you won't need to use my 12 simple tips but if you do, I'm glad they'll help you.
DeleteSue, Leanne and you are channeling the same inspiration this week! Love the loads of tips!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda, for stopping by and your comment. Blogging is sharing.
DeleteWhat a lovely set of ideas. Small worries just grow especially at 3am
ReplyDeleteThank you, Erith, for your visit and comment. So true how worries can wreck our sleep. Much better to bust them before bed time.
DeleteNatalie, with so many bloggers talking about worry this week, I'm starting to worry that I'm not worrying enough! LOL. I find that your #1 idea is best for me - writing things down. I use that when I'm up in the middle of the night worrying. I don't even turn on the light, just grab my notepad (at the side of my bed for this reason!) and write things down. It's often a challenge in the morning to read what I've written, but it does help me get back to stop worrying and get back to sleep. Pat
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pat, for dropping by. Writing things down is so simple and effective to move our worry to a notepad and get some likely much needed sleep.
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