WORRY, AND HOW TO GET RID OF IT

By Dr. Lawrence Wilson

All information in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not for the diagnosis, treatment, prescription or cure of any disease or health condition.

Worry is a common emotion among human beings, and even among some animals such as dogs. However, worry is always unproductive and a bad habit. It can also be a subtle form of escape and a subtle ego trip. Let us discuss this in more detail.

DEFINITION

Worry may be defined as an undo concern about something, or someone. It is an anxiety, unease, brooding, panicky feeling, agonizing, overthinking, or tormenting oneself about a person or situation.

In contrast, concern is taking a genuine interest in the well-being of oneself or another, or interest in a situation or event.

While concern is healthy, worry is a ruminating or spinning in the head that is never healthy.

WHY DO PEOPLE WORRY?

Some people worry because they have been taught that it is the right thing to do. Many people learn this bad habit from their parents, friends, teachers or others.

An escape. Some people worry because it takes their mind off other problems and gives them an excuse to avoid thinking about other situations that really require their attention.

An ego trip. Some also worry because they believe it makes them a good, caring person. This is often a subtle ego trip in that the worry about others is not really genuine. In fact, it is just a way to occupy the mind that feeds one’s ego or self-esteem, rather than genuine caring about a situation or other person.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT WORRY

If you catch yourself worrying about a situation or person, here are some suggestions:

1. Turn it over to God or Jesus or to the angels. This is not difficult to do if you believe in God, Jesus or angels. You may have to turn it over many times, but that is okay. It becomes a new habit that can help greatly to rid you of worry.

2. You can pray for the person or the situation. This is very different than worry. Prayer is the act of asking for something sincerely, and then leaving it up to God or the universe or Source to take care of the rest.

3. Take action. For example, let us say you are worried about having enough money, or worried about your health. Instead of worrying, read books or take courses about money and investing. Instead of worrying about your health, go on a nutritional balancing program, or read about your symptoms, or visit a doctor, perhaps.

4. Move your mind from worry to concern. Concern for a person or situation is good. It is genuine caring, and it does not upset you, make you anxious or torment you in any way. Sometimes you can say to yourself, “I will not worry, and I will just be concerned about my friend, or my family, or something else.”

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