Worry Breaks

Are you a worrier? Do you tend to catastrophize and dwell on things that you can't control? If so, you're not alone.

Most of us worry from time to time. It's a normal part of life. But for some of us, worry can become a full-time occupation. We can't seem to turn it off. And it can take a toll on our physical and mental health.

So why do we worry? And what can we do about it?

Most of us worry about things that have already happened or that might happen in the future. We worry about things that we can't control. This kind of worry is different from thinking. Thinking is a normal part of life. It helps us solve problems and make decisions. But worry is different. It's characterized by catastrophizing, is repetitive, and is unproductive.

Why do we worry?

There are a few reasons. First, worry can be a way of avoiding something that we don't want to deal with. It's easier to worry about something that might happen than to deal with something that is happening. Second, worry can be a way of trying to control the future. We can't control what might happen, but if we worry about it, we feel like we're doing something. Finally, worry can be a way of trying to make ourselves feel better. We think that if we worry about something, we'll be better prepared for it.

What are the consequences of worry?

Worry can take a toll on our physical and mental health. It can make us feel tense and nervous. It can interfere with our sleep. And it can make us feel irritable and short-tempered. Worry can also lead to depression and anxiety.

How can we take a break from worry?

Worry takes place in the mind, so the best way to take a break from worry is to distract ourselves. We can do this by researching a fun getaway, calling a friend who never fails to put us in a good mood, or watching a funny movie or videos.

We can also take action. This means dropping into our bodies and doing something physical. We can go for a run, swim, or jump in a game of tag. We can also do some crafting or listen to music.

The important thing is to find something that works for you. Something that will help you take a break from worry and give you a chance to relax and enjoy your life.

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to schedule a designated time to worry. This may sound counterintuitive, but hear me out.

Your mind needs time to process your thoughts. If you are constantly worrying about everything, your mind never has a chance to catch up. By setting aside a specific time to worry, you are giving your mind the time it needs to sort through your thoughts and come up with solutions.

Here are a few tips for setting up your worry time:

-Choose a quiet place with limited distractions. This will help you focus on your thoughts and not be pulled in a million different directions.

-When worries pop up during non-worry time, jot down a few keywords on paper or in a notes app. This will help you remember what you need to address during worry time.

-During worry time, write out your thoughts and possible solutions. This will help you organize your thoughts and come up with a plan of action.

You may find that some of your worries were actually irrelevant. But by giving yourself the time to worry, you are giving yourself the chance to process your thoughts and find solutions to the things that are actually important.

The bottom line is that taking a break to worry can help you to better manage your thoughts and stressors. So next time you are feeling overwhelmed, take a break and give yourself some time to worry. It just might be the thing that you need to help you get back on track.

Taking a break from worry and taking a break to worry are both important self-care practices that will help you become your best version. If you find that you simply cannot get a grip on the intrusive thoughts, consider seeking the help of a professional therapist (I know a great one)!

But if taking worry breaks is helping you and you simply need guidance, support, and accountability on your journey, click here to book a call with me. During the call, you will get clarity around what’s keeping you on the back burner and we’ll chat about how you can get off!