20 ways to get out of the worry rut

mapmaker.curtrosengren.com

We all find ourselves worrying on occasion. It's a natural part of the human experience. But when it becomes the rule, not the exception, it creates a serious obstacle. Here are 20 tips for getting out of the worry rut.

Some examples...

• Learn abdominal breathing techniques. This increases oxygen to the brain and muscles, stimulates nervous system, promotes positive energy (and attraction) between mind and body that radiates outward.

• Verbal discussion or expression. Talk with someone about the worry. They don't need to respond with solutions just compassion.

• Stop and build something with your hands. If you garden, plant or pull weeds. Fix a lamp, paint a wall, or sandpaper an old table.

• Write for three minutes, dump everything onto the page, and then tear it to shreds. Then write something positive for another three minutes.

• Eat an apple slowly, deliberately; focus on each bite and its taste.

• Listen to someone share a story about something they enjoy.

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Brought to you by Curt Rosengren, Passion Catalyst ^TM

 

mapmaker.curtrosengren.com

Comments

[Whitney]

Worry used to be a near-constant companion. Grades, exams, graduation, getting a job, losing a job, relationships, bosses, promotions, parents, pets, money...you name it, I worried about it.

In my mid-30s, things started to change, and I became increasingly aware of something larger at work in my life. The more I got out of the way and went with the flow, the better things got.

When I left work each day -- I used to drag a lot of worry home from work -- I'd step outside my cube and just before leaving I'd hold up my hand to my workspace and say "So be it." I'd repeat the end-of-day benediction -- sometimes adding to it -- just before I went to bed. It always felt like I was pulling a plug from a socket.

If I was worried about something that was beyond my ability to fix on my own, I'd write it down on a piece of paper. Then I'd light a candle (vanilla always worked). I'd read out loud what was on the paper, and finish with "This problem is too big for me to resolve on my own. I release it to you." Then I'd burn the paper. Setting fire to these written worries helped me to emotionally let go of them.

*Someone* must have been listening because over the span of several months, a lot of things started working themselves out.