By Jillian Broaddus and Chuck Cusumano
Don’t worry – A phrase much more easily said than done - especially during scary times such as these, when there is so much to worry about, and so much feels out of our control. However, the ability to control our mind when it comes to worrying can have a tremendous impact on our lives.
We all know the effect of worry on our mental, physical, and emotional health. Worrying leads to stress and anxiety, which can cause sleeplessness, depression, high blood pressure, and weight gain, just to name a few. Living in a state of worry can also impact your relationships with others, productivity levels, and overall focus. And all of the above effects can quickly send your work performance down the drain, which can – in turn – cause more reasons for worry. In fact, one study estimates that 41% of employees across a variety of industries report “high levels of anxiety in the workplace.”
So, how can you regain control of your thoughts and stop your worrying, wandering, anxious mind?
As simple as it sounds, start with this: think positive. Stop a negative thought in its tracks. Turn setbacks into learning experiences and roadblocks into opportunities! Next time a worry dominates your thoughts, remember this stat: According to researchers at the University of Cincinnati, approximately 85% of the things we worry about never happen. A stress about the future will only destroy the present!
If you can’t easily change your negative thoughts into positive ones, find a way to insert more positivity into your life. This can be as easy as turning off news notifications on your phone, avoiding checking your work email first thing in the morning, or actively seeking positive news headlines through websites such as The Good News Network and Huffington Post: Good News.
And, finally, a critical component to how we deal with worries rests in the strengths of our relationships. One study found that the quality of relationships we have with peers and supervisors can significantly reduce the potential harmful effects of workplace anxiety. Having friends and coworkers you trust can help to talk through issues, rationalize fears, and overcome worries!
If worry is a serious issue in your life – particularly impacting your work – please reach out to us. We’re here to help!
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