Worrying

Worrying can affect your day in various ways. It is often not just in your mind, but also in your body and behaviour.

You may, for example, notice that:

• you keep having the same thoughts;
• you have difficulty falling asleep;
• you often wake up worrying;
• you find it difficult to make choices;
• you are tense or agitated;
• you pay less attention to what you are doing;
• you are easily distracted;
• These situations keep repeating themselves in your head;
• you seek a great deal of validation from others.

Perhaps you feel ashamed of your worrying. You may know that it doesn’t help, but you still can’t seem to stop. That’s very common. Worrying often starts as a way of getting to grips with a situation. But after a while, worrying can become a habit that is difficult to break.

Worrying often arises from stress, uncertainty or a heavy burden of responsibility. When there is a lot going on, your mind tries to get to grips with it by going over everything in your head repeatedly.

Fatigue can also exacerbate worrying. If you sleep poorly or do not recover well, it becomes harder to let go of your thoughts. Symptoms, pain, illness or worries about work and home life can also play a part.

Sometimes you worry because you’re afraid of making the wrong choice. Or because you expect a lot from yourself. Then your mind keeps searching for certainty, even though that certainty isn’t always there.

It helps to limit worrying. You don’t need to push thoughts away, but you can learn to deal with them differently.

For example, you could:

• write down your concerns;
• choose a specific time to reflect;
• distinguish between what you can resolve and what you cannot;
• choose a small first step;
• try relaxation or breathing exercises;
• exercising to relieve tension;
• clear your mind before going to sleep;
• talking to someone who can listen calmly.

Don’t try to fight every thought. It often helps more to simply notice that you are worrying and then go back to what you were doing.

Seeking help is advisable if worrying is disrupting your sleep, work, studies or daily tasks. It is also a good idea to contact your GP if you are feeling increasingly anxious, low or exhausted.

Please also seek help if you are unable to stop your thoughts and are consequently unable to function properly. You do not have to cope with this on your own.

Together, we’ll look at when your worries arise and what helps you find more peace of mind. In doing so, we’ll focus on stress, sleep, energy levels, your daily routine and the pressure you’re feeling.

Psychological Support can help you deal with your thoughts, worries and stress in a different way. A lifestyle coach can support sleep, relaxation and rhythm. A occupational therapist can help if worrying is linked to too many tasks, a lack of perspective or difficulty with planning.

We’re looking for practical ways to help you clear your mind and keep your day more organised.

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