If you often find yourself worrying too much about everyday little things, you are not the only person and there is nothing you should be scared of. Worrying is often mistaken with anxiety and many people think they are the same thing. However, here are the main differences between worrying and anxiety.
- worrying is specific and anxiety is general
- worrying only takes place in our brains but anxiety affects the entire body
- worrying stimulates problem-solving thinking but anxiety does not
- worrying causes moderate distress but anxiety causes severe distress
- worrying is based on reality but anxiety is not
- worrying is more controllable than anxiety
- worrying is more temporary and anxiety is long-lasting
- worrying does not impact work and everyday life unlike anxiety
After learning and understanding the differences between these two things, you can easily determine which one you suffer from and how you can handle it. For example, if you feel worried about everyday things it is just part of the human practical nature. However, anxiety can happen without any reason and it can seriously impact your life.
People who have anxiety disorder often feel excessively worried about all life events and if you suffer from this disorder this article might be helpful. However, you should always seek professional help.
How do I stop worrying?
We can stop worrying completely, but at least we can control the length and levels of it. Worrying is a healthy part of the human nature and we should experience it from time to time. But learning how to avoid letting it affect your everyday life can be very helpful because you will be able to focus on more important things. These are 5 things you can do about worrying too much:
1.Ask yourself: “Can I do something about it?”
Worrying about something you can’t control or change will never be useful or helpful. We are usually aware of this fact, however try to ask yourself this question more often. The thing you can control is the issue which you can settle as much as you can. If there is something you can do, do it, and if not, try to relax and take better care of your health by protecting your nerves.
2.Designate a time to worry
Determining which part of your day you will spend worrying will help you worry less because you will occupy your brain with other useful things the rest of the day. Try to use your worry time as productively as you can so that you will leave it behind afterwards.
3.Practice mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness meditation or acceptance can be very helpful. However, acceptance does not mean you will just accept problems without doing anything to solve them. Accept what you can’t change. Acceptance requires a lot of motivation especially when it comes to things you don’t like.
4.Keep your mind and hands busy
Worry and anxiety often “attack” us when we are not focused on anything else. Starting a new hobby or doing things you enjoy can be very helpful because that way you will keep your mind off of the things that make you feel that way.
5.Break a sweat
Regular exercise is especially beneficial for people who suffer from stress but it can be very helpful for relieving anxiety attacks. With exercise you will improve your overall health and you will also help your brain to improve its memory and thinking skills. According to neuroscience, exercise is efficient in relieving anxiety because it boosts chemicals in the brain that are responsible for providing you positive feelings such as happiness and a sense of wellbeing.