We spend far too much time worrying about everything: yesterday, the future, other people… The problem is that this tires us out enormously and, little by little, makes us unhappy. How can we be happy when we’re always under stress? So what can you do to stop worrying? Here are my 3 favorite tips.

1 – Stop thinking you’re psychic

Too often, we worry about everything and nothing, and sometimes it can be really intense.

A heart that beats too fast, even hurts. A headache that makes us wince.

Because our thoughts go in all directions and we take these thoughts as predictions for the future.

Yes, we believe our thoughts see the future. Which is wrong, of course (laughs).

In fact, to stop worrying, we first need to understand that we’re not psychics (laughs).

We don’t see the future.

When we realize that, we can already allow ourselves to smile.

Personally, this tip does me a world of good. Firstly, because it makes me laugh.

I imagine myself in front of my crystal ball and realize how “ridiculous” most of my worries are. I breathe easier.

In fact, I put things into perspective, and it’s magical.

2 – Talk to stop worrying

Our thoughts are not our best allies when it comes to living a calm and peaceful life. In fact, our thoughts tend to be negative and particularly fond of causing us to feel stress, even anxiety.

That’s why it’s no good locking ourselves away with them as our only companions.

So, to stop worrying, it’s a good idea to talk about the thoughts that stress us.

Do you have one or more people around you who can listen to you for 2-3 minutes?

Then go for it. Call someone who can listen.

Because while you’re talking to that person about your worries, you’ll be listening to yourself.

And it’s by hearing your own worries that you’ll be able to untangle them.

In fact, you’ll be able to sort through your worries, getting rid of those that are really “ridiculous” and keeping only those that “count”.

What’s more, talking about it feels really good, because it makes us feel less alone. Even if the person listening can’t do anything for us, and that’s very often the case, being able to talk about it is liberating.

Personally, when I have too much stress, too many worries, I talk about it and it makes me feel better.

What’s more, I’ve noticed that there’s no need to spend hours on it. Often, 2 or 3 minutes is enough.

When this happens to me, I often say to the person in front of me, “I’m going to grumble for a few minutes. May I?”

Then I take a deep breath and talk (laughs).

3 – Write to untangle stress

Often, when we worry about everything and nothing, we can’t see very clearly. It’s all tangled up, it’s confusing and we don’t really know what’s stressing us anymore.

That’s why writing is such a good outlet.

So, to stop worrying, it’s a good idea to pick up a sheet of paper and a pen.

So, what should you write to soothe yourself?

What I find particularly helpful is to untangle my thoughts during this writing exercise. To do this, I ask myself one question: “What am I really worried about?”

Then I write a first time. What’s going through my head, what’s weighing on my heart or shoulders.

Then I ask myself the question “What’s really worrying me?” once more, and write again.

I do this several times, until I feel a little better.

And I ask myself this question several times in a row until I put my finger on what’s really worrying me.

This exercise helps me to see things more clearly and to put certain worries into perspective. In other words, it does me a world of good.

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover Worrying about others: 3 tips for calming down
Discover How to fall asleep easily? Effective ideas to try out

In addition, I recommend this inspiring book on the subject:

How to Stop Worrying and Start Living: Time-Tested Methods for Conquering Worry by Dale Carnegie

I’m always worrying about the past and the future. This book has been recommended to me and several other people have told me that it has changed their lives. It’s full of real-life examples of how people have applied the many, many principles it contains.
People may miss this book because it was published in the 1940s. Don’t be fooled. Anxiety, depression and worry have always existed, and the advice in this book is still relevant today.
Many of the topics covered have been reconditioned by modern society, but this book provides many ways to rewire your brain. There are faith-based options, journalism options, meditation options and things to say to yourself to get out of rumination.

Since I started reading this book, I’ve found that I’m calmer and handle things more easily. I move on after big decisions (which I never used to do).

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself.