Seven Tips for Breaking the Worry Cycle

"One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is to teach them how to turn worry into action."














Our minds are amazing and incredibly powerful. They can help us create wonderful things…while they can also torture us! The perfect example is worrying. We all know what that is right? It's a normal part of who we are. Worry is when we have thoughts or emotions about a potential threat or problem in the future – something may go wrong or something bad may happen.

The upside of worry is that we can use it to identify issues and then deal with them. The downside is, it can be a real energy drain if it leads to rumination and constant feelings of anxiety.

The secret to stopping the worry cycle is to change worry from "anxiety and rumination" to "preparation and action". 

Here are seven tips you can use to ease your mind. 

1.Recognize your worries – let them be and don't judge them. The more you try to resist them the more they will persist. It's like trying not to imagine a pink elephant in the room. Now you're thinking about that right? You can't help it. So, stop ruminating and write down your concerns.

2.Change your language. Language is a very powerful tool – it creates our experience. Instead of using the word "worried" which automatically triggers a feeling of anxiety and fear, use the word "concerned" followed by the word "prepared". For example instead of saying, "I am worried about my child's social skills" say, "I am concerned about my child's social skills. I'll consult a coach." 

3. Get into action. For each concern make a plan and write out your strategy. Think of one small step you can take to reduce the worry and solve the problem.

4.Focus on what you want not on what you don't want. Your thoughts are very powerful. They can create whatever you focus on. Each time you worry it strengthens the neural pathways in your brain about that problem. To reprogram your brain, focus on what you want – not on what you don't want. This will retrain your brain to help you create what you want. Visualization and affirmations are powerful tools to help you do this. 

5. Focus on what is working in your life and what you're good at. Thoughts of gratitude can help ease your mind and create positive energy. Expressing gratitude actually creates happiness. Think about what's special about you and acknowledge it. Positive energy and positive thoughts are the corner stones for creating what you want in your life.

​6. Notice what you can control not what you can't control. If the thing you are worried about is something you can control, such as consulting a coach about your concerns about your child, then take action on that. However, if it's is something that you have no control over, such as a cancelled school trip, then worrying about it doesn't serve you.

​7. Do something that can help you relax. Reading a book, watching a movie, going for a walk, meditating or speaking to a friend are some ways that can help ease your mind.

Worrying and rumination steal the present moment and can rob you of your happiness. Focus on small steps you can do to feel a sense of personal strength and achievement.