How to stop worrying and overthinking

Worry doesn’t rob tomorrow of its sorrow, it only robs today of its joy.

Our minds are very, very busy, they are constantly active all day every day, so it’s understandable that we often fall into the trap of worrying, especially worrying about things we can’t really control. Your mind is always active, so it's hard to make it stop there and then. However, worrying continuously creates more worry when you are worrying, it sound silly, but you begin to worry because you are worrying. This then creates a vicious cycle that can distract us from the present moment and all the positive things in our lives.

The reason we worry is because our brains are trained to keep us safe. They see anything other than normal a threat to our safety and well being, but this isn't true. If we listened every time our tried to keep us safe, we wouldn't do anything. We would be stuck in our houses because of fear. The only thing that you need to fight against is fear.

Fear keeps us from living our lives, it keeps us from living up to our true potential and pursue what we feel deep inside. It keeps us from being truly happy. You know what you need deep down, so don't listen to your brain when it tries to hold you back. Acknowledge it, and move on.

It can be hard sometimes because once you have anxiety and worry, it can overtake your whole mind and it can be hard to calm your mind once you are in this state.

Firstly, you shouldn’t worry about things you can’t control. In life, things are always happening around us good and bad and we can’t control everything that happens, so there is no point in trying to. You will just end up wearing yourself out, where you could be putting energy into something you enjoy. Worrying creates more worry, so the best thing to do is to try and eliminate it.

One of the best things you can do to eliminate worry, and I can’t stress the enough is exercise. Exercise is widely popular when it comes to living a healthy life, and there is good reason for it. Exercise has so many benefits both physically and mentally, it’s so good for the body and mind.

Firstly, when you exercise, you will concentrate on the exercise and what’s around you rather than whatever was on your mind before. It’s hard not to be present when you are concentrating on the exercise you are doing and the beautiful scenery that surrounds you.

Secondly, whilst you are exercising, your body is releasing endorphins which make you feel happier. Even if you go for a little walk, it can help so much, just moving your body and being in nature can lift your mood.

One of the main culprits behind worry and anxiety is perfection, and trying to reach expectations that aren’t realistic. If you are one of these people (like I can be sometimes) who occasionally has a day where you stay inside and do nothing, but you know deep down you want to do something, then walk outside. Just being in nature, even if it’s in the garden can lighten your mood quite a lot. Humans are meant to be outside and in nature, it makes us feel alive. Just do something. Even if it's something small. You may find that when you start moving, you are motivated to do more things.

One of the main issues with society today, from the outset looks like a positive, motivational thing, but actually can have the opposite effect.

I, alongside a lot of people, enjoy watching motivational videos and motivational speakers. They give me so much energy and inspiration to do something, but if you listen to the wrong ones, it can have the opposite effect. For example, some videos say that if you aren’t working hard 24 hours a day you are failing. This is simply not true. I will admit, there are people out there that thrive on work, and will work all day every day, but for most people, this is simply not the case, and for good reason. If you constantly work around the clock, you will reach burnout where you resent your work rather than enjoy it. You will have no energy to fulfill your passion and end up disliking it. We all need a break sometimes, even from things we enjoy.

Everyone needs some times to relax and unwind, that’s very normal. Make sure that if you listen to any motivation videos, that you think realistically. There is no pressure to be constantly achieving everything all at once like a lot of videos try to make out.

Sometimes, it’s nice to have a day where you don’t constantly micro manage yourself and expect so much from yourself. You should let go sometimes and let life happen. You don’t need to be achieving something 24 hours a day to be a success. As long as you are working towards your passion most days, you are doing fine. Your life is not meant to be over worked, it’s meant to be enjoyed. You are allowed to make mistakes, you are allowed to be slow, you are allowed to take one step at a time. As they say, Rome wasn’t built overnight.

Your need for constant perfection isn’t realistic, you will be searching for something that isn’t possible to maintain, which in turn will leave you drained as it is unrealistic.

Another main culprit behind worry is negative thinking. Thinking something can go wrong at any time, and constantly waiting for something bad to happen, i.e: fear. It’s easy to become overwhelmed in your thoughts if you think of everything bad that could happen. Unfortunately, in life, bad things do happen, but that’s OK. You don’t need to control everything that happens in the world, if you are scared of everything that could possibly go wrong, you wouldn’t even leave your house, you wouldn’t live your life properly.

Start to visualise everything that can go right instead, start to think of everything positive that can happen. Also, start to think of everything that you can control in your life, for example what activities you do want to be doing everyday, what food you want to eat that day, what exercise you are going to do that day. There are many things in your life that you can control and this can help you feel like you have more control over your life, and make you happier overall.

You need to find your happy place, and if that means learning to relax and take time out, then so be it. Listen to some calming music and take a deep breath, your body and brain will thank you for it.

You also need to stop waiting for perfection to happen. Stop waiting for your perfect life to be happy. Your life is happening right now, you will never get these moments back. The only true thing you have control over is right now. You can either make progress right now or do something you enjoy to make yourself feel happier. The one thing we can't get back in this life is time. You could be the richest person in the world and you still can't buy time back, so make the most of your life right now.

Life is there to be enjoyed. Make the most of it.

I hope you have a wonderful, positive day!