How can I stop worrying and stressing over things?

Question

I've been told I'm funny, so I don't think it's that I'm not capable of relaxing or being happy but I think it's easy for me to get stressed or worried.

Answer 1

I find that talking things out especially with other people helps.  Be careful with whom you discuss your problem.  Avoid judgmental people or those that don't try to understand and just try to tell you what THEY think you should do.

We all experience stress and worry in life.  A lot of times this is because of doubt and fear.  Do you know what fear is?  F.E.A.R. = False Evidence Appearing Real.  Most of the time, if a person realizes that their perception may be blown out of proportion, they can better evaluate the situation and get things back to normal.

However, when things seem to be totally beyond a person's control and the worrying and stress become overwhelming, it may be time to seek outside help.

If you are still living at home, talk this over with your parents.  This is usually the best source of comfort.  They will be willing to help out of thier love for you.

If you are out on your own,  look into resources in your community.  This may be something as easy as  talking  to a clergyman (priest, pastor, or rabbi).  You may not be religious, but this has really worked for me.  With a good clergyman, I have found a person with a good listening ear and someone who is not judgmental.   If you are still in school, talk to a counselor at school.

If you really think that this is a serious matter, look into community support.   There is usually a community support agency or a faith-based center that you can find useful.  These are usually available at little or no cost.  They can be found in the yellow pages under a mental health listing.  Or, calling a local hospital and talking to a nurse can also lead a person to these community sources.

Don't do like I did and let things like these get in the way of enjoying life.  I missed out on a lot of enjoyment in life.  I almost waited too long.

Seek a solution early to any problems you may be having and enjoy the wonderful opportunities that are there for you.

I wish you well.  I will keep you in my prayers.

God bless.  Go with the grace of God.

Answer 2

  See anxiety treatments, at  ezy build (below) in section 6. Set yourself a specific time period for worrying about anything, (say; around three quarters of an hour, possibly when you get home, or after your evening meal, but not too close to bedtime) after which, resolve firmly to refuse to even entertain the thought of worrying again on that day: realise and accept that to do otherwise would be counterproductive to your mental health, and enjoyment of life.    

                  You will have had your "worry time" for the day, and can just write down any more thoughts that come to mind, and say to yourself: "Well, I'll just have to worry about that tomorrow, won't I?".            It is important to deal with a negative internal monologue (self talk), or mental process, such as disturbing thoughts, or images, by the process of (a): recognising it, and (b): challenging it immediately.          

                                                                                 When you notice  something negative, such as: "I'm never going to get over this!" or: "Why am I always so pathetic/useless/such a loser?" or even: "I can't do this/will never get over this!", or a disturbing image, recognise that this is part of the mindset which will hold you back from progressing in your recovery.                                                                                                                                                                           Having identified and labelled it, I first visualise a large  "STOP!" sign, then I say to myself as forcefully as you can, even aloud in a big voice, if alone: "I know this tactic: GO AWAY FOR A WHILE !!!" You may want to use either: "ruse", "ploy", "game", or "trick", instead of "tactic". In the case of an image, visualise a large "STOP" sign, or your preferred version.                                                                                                                                           Some people go so far as to keep a wide rubber band in their pocket, then put it around their wrist, when they catch themselves backsliding, stretch and release it, as a method of reprogramming their mind sooner, but I don't regard it as being strictly necessary. Remember to remove it, afterwards, if you use this method.

         Practice one of the relaxation methods in sections 2, 11, 2c, or 2i, daily, and when needed. Alternatively, give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you. There is also a version for use in public places, (if you like, you can claim to have a headache, as you massage/lightly tap your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising: saying it to yourself in your mind). Section 53,  and pages 2, 2.q and 2.o at  http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris also refer: "Even though I sometimes suffer from anxiety, I deeply and completely accept myself." Neurofeedback treatment for anxiety is increasingly becoming available.  Herbal remedies, such as valerian, (which is not recommended for use if depression is also present) passionflower, or St.John's wort, are often effective, but the idea is (as with anxiolytic medication) to use them like water wings, or training wheels on a bicycle, providing initial support, and giving time for other treatments, such as therapy, and relaxation techniques, to take effect.              

                        (The following is a variant of Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing therapy, which has been used successfully for those people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, insomnia, and anxiety: it is easily learned, quick to use, yet can be very effective. It is easy to be dismissive of such a seemingly unusual technique, but give it a good tryout, for at least a few weeks, to see if it is effective in your case).

Prior to using either of the methods in the above paragraph, first sit comfortably, and take a deep breath. Then, without moving your head, move your eyes from the left, to the right, and back again, taking around a second to do so (say: "a thousand and one": this takes approximately a second).

Repeat this procedure (without the words, although you can count, subvocally, if you like) 20 times: "A thousand and one; a thousand and two... " and so on, to a thousand and twenty. Then close your eyes and relax. Become aware of any tension or discomfort you feel.                      

                 Then open your eyes, and take another deep breath, and repeat step one, closing your eyes, and relaxing afterwards, in the same manner. Then, repeat the procedure one last time. Some people may find that this is all they need do.   With experience, you may find that you can practise this in public, with your eyes closed, which greatly widens the window of opportunity for its use, and avoids attracting unwanted attention. I have found that the 2 - 3 minutes spent using the EMDR markedly reduces distractions to the relaxation process, and is repaid many times over.

I also use it prior to my chosen relaxation technique, after lights out, at night. For more about Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing therapy, showing recommendations by those who have used it, including a professional psychotherapist with more than 20 years of experience in that field, see sections 33 - 34, at ezy-build (stress is addressed in section 42: view page i first). She was skeptical, at first, and I remained unconvinced, until trying it, and now I use it twice daily, including after lights out, at night.

Answer 3

take some time out and do things for yourself

have  nice hot bath, go for a walk or watch your favorite movie

just take a step back from what is stressing you and think about whether it is really worth stressing about or if its just something trivial that will be easy to sort out

think up ways that you can get rid of what is stressing you, such as getting your homework done in class so you don't have to do it at home, or taking a few days off work, or asking your partner to take care of the kids for a night

all of this really depends on your situation and the source of your stress and worry

Answer 4

Well, get a hold of things with organization, and that will reduce stress.  Give yourself a structure during the day.  Leaving  many things to chance can cause stress.  You have left out quite a bit, like are you a teen or an adult?  Are you employed or a housewife?

If you are a teen, then you need to dial the stress back to a teenage level and enjoy life.  If you are employed, then organization will count greatly in stopping stress.  Overall, if you have a schedule and stick to it, with minimal change right now, your stress will reduce greatly as you know what to expect.  

Answer 5

Dance in public.

Go without your friends and family, and make sure the place where you're going is in constant movement. (People coming in and out or something.) Go to the town square in your town, or wherever is busiest, put on your headphones, and dance to an entire song.

It won't work with your friends and family. You have to do it alone.

And no, I'm not joking. You'll be terrified at first, but if you do it - once or twice a week - it will work. Believe me.