According to research, we spend on average 1 hour and 50 minutes per day worrying. The same study showed 84% lose sleep over worry. But what are we actually worrying about and how do we stop doing it so much?
Why Worrying Is Good For Us
Worrying is a survival instinct. It goes hand in hand with anxiety, which is our natural fight or flight response. We worry because, as primates, we have an instinct to protect ourselves and our young from danger (such as predators) - it is evolutionary and important for our general upkeep. However, modern life presents us with complex worries that span further than ‘fleeing from predators.
What Are We Worrying About?
Research has indicated that there are 10 top things keeping us awake at night. These are (in priority order)
1. Work.
2. Finances
3. Being late / schedules
4. A relative or a friend in poor health
5. Our own poor health
6. Relationships
7. Appearance
8. Family safety
9. A pet’s health
10. Remembering everything you need to do
There are, of course, many other things too. Perhaps you have a fear of driving and have to commence a long journey soon. Perhaps you have to fly abroad and worry the plane will crash. Perhaps your hair is falling out and you can’t seem to stop it. You might even have more existential worries about things like death, the meaning of your life or where your life is headed.
Basically, we worry about everything and anything - from the major life altering happenings to the small inconsequential nuts and bolts of each day.
The Health Perils of Worrying
While worry is essential for survival, it’s bad for our health in excess. Worrying can lead to more major mental health problems like anxiety and depression. It can cause aches and pains in the body including headache. As already mentioned, it can keep us up at night too. A lack of sleep can lead to obesity, heart problems, IBS and a whole host of other problems. It can also cause agitation, anger, sadness and overwhelm.
When you feel terrible, your general life suffers and this can cause a downward spiral which makes worry even worse.
For example, let’s say you are worrying about your new boss not liking you or appreciating your work enough. You worry he is going to fire you and has an agenda against you. You stay awake at night worrying about it, and find that these thoughts go round and round your head non stop, to the point where it’s hard to concentrate. The combination of sleep deprivation and lack of concentration could lead to poorer health, which in turn leads to taking sick days. Or, it leads to poorer work quality, which will only make your worry about your boss even worse. And so, the cycle continues. This is why it’s important to take steps to stop worrying in its tracks.
How To Reduce Worrying
There are several things you can do to limit the amount of worrying you do.
1. Keep a worry diary
Whenever you find yourself worrying, write it down. You can keep a worry journal with certain worries allocated to each page. Whenever a recurring worry emerges, go to that page in your diary and write down what’s happening. At a later date, if and when that worry resolves, go back to that page in your diary and write out the resolution. You will quickly learn that much of your worrying was for nothing. You will also be able to spot themes and patterns within your worrying.
2. Exercise
When we exercise, we reduce the physical stress in our bodies and release endorphins that enhance our feeling of wellness. This automatically reduces worry and causes us to look at life another way. Exercise doesn’t have to be formal and doesn’t need to involve a gym membership. You can go for a run, a walk, a swim or a cycle.
3. See your friends
Friendships are good for the soul. Enjoy days out with your friends and you’ll soon be laughing your worries away, or at least be temporarily distracted. Friends can also be a good sounding board. Send your friends a voice note when you are feeling worried and they might be able to offer you some comfort or insights that help you view the situation in a different way.
Flexispot For Worrying Less
At Flexispot, we aim to enhance your health and wellness through providing ergonomic furniture. This includes beds, chairs, desks and accessories. By adding ergonomics into your life, you can reduce your sense of worry and focus on the tasks that matter. Get in touch with us today or visit our website to browse our full range. Our friendly staff are also happy to help with your questions.
