Are you a worrier? Does your mind race at night going over a giant list of things you need to do, or should do? Or are you consumed with more abstract fears or worries that you just can’t seem to shake? I was like that too.

I know a lot of people who worry all the time about everything; even tiny things which in the big scheme of life are very insignificant. My friends and family who watch the news obsessively worry about things that are far beyond their control.

I know these people don’t feel a moment of peace. I know how that feels. It feels like your mind is a ball of twine and the spool is winding tighter and tighter. You can only appreciate the whirlwind of what it feels like after you are outside of it.

Round and Round on the Hamster Wheel

For many of us, we worry just to worry. I sometimes feel my mind searching for more topics to dwell on and add to the pile. This obsessiveness is how worrying becomes a moving target. We do this to ourselves, and if we just step off the hamster wheel for a moment, we can identify why we are doing it and what we need to focus on and fix.

I have heard people say they have “squirrels in the attic” meaning their minds are churning 24/7 and won’t slow down. Some of them have mood disorders that dictate the speed and chaotic nature of their minds. Others have just gotten too caught up in this hectic, high-expectation world and cannot find the breaks anymore.

Slow it Down

Throughout my energy work, my coach would tell me to “slow it down.” My mind has a habit of racing hard and fast and even though this is helpful in processing for work, it’s hellish at night trying to sleep or dealing with stressful life situations. When your mind moves quickly, it is easy to become overwhelmed.

Through my current mindfulness and meditation practices, I have thoroughly reversed this effect. Now my mind works at a much slower pace, which is comfortable for me and allows me to address each thing as it comes up.

The Trick is Catching Yourself in the Act

The key for me in improving any part of my life is being more “present” and conscious in the moment. Then I become aware of what I am thinking and doing. Without that, I have no way to address it, nor do I even notice that I am doing it.

I created a vision statement to help with this specific issue and it now guides me to take a healthier action. I did this so I don’t have to continually self-monitor. I program in this little reminder (using my vision statement) so that when I find myself worrying, I pause and switch it over to meditation or mindful healing automatically.

Break Out of the Worrying Habit

Constant worrying about anything is not healthy. It only causes mental and physical problems. I created my share of health issues by my own unhealthy anxiety.

I know what you think because I thought it too. If I don’t worry about this thing, or if I take my mind off it, something terrible will happen. Trust me when I tell you, if you DON’T take your mind off it, it is more likely to become a problem. Worrying does not do any good; it ONLY does bad.

Most of the time, the things we worry about don’t even happen, or they just fade away, and we move on. Be forewarned, there is a whole bunch of new things in line behind the ones you let go. You have to be the one to take control, stop allowing yourself to lean into worrying and instead focus on gratitude, helping someone else or your mindful practices to get out of your head and into a healthier mindset.