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What if I fail the test? What if I don't make the team? What if I trip on my way
up the stage, or I mess up my solo once I get on? What if my friends stop liking
me? What if I'm kidnapped? What if there's a terrorist attack? AAAH!!!
We all worry. It's natural. And sometimes, worrying can actually be good: for
example, worrying about their health may convince people to eat a better diet.
But most worries simply spell loss of sleep, distraction from important things,
and a less enjoyable life. Here's a few ways to bust anxiety when it creeps up
on you...
1) Write it down. Sometimes, just putting your feelings on a piece of paper can
help you feel better. Get a journal, and use it whenever you're feeling anxious.
It doesn't matter how neat your writing is, or whether it makes sense. Just
write! Picture yourself pulling the worry out of your head and slapping it on a
piece of paper. Your mind has better things to think about.
2) Play some music. Music is a great for calming and soothing. Pop, rock, rap
or classical, it really doesn't matter. Just let yourself be carried away.
3) Read a book. An exciting story can distract your mind from nagging fears. And
characters' drastic problems may make yours seem totally trivial in comparison.
4) Tell Someone. Just letting another person know how you feel can make the
burden of a worry a lot easier. And even better, they may have the exact bit of
advice you needed to make you realize your worry isn't so important after all.
5) Exercise. Go for a swim. Ride your bike. Jump on your trampoline. Jog around
the block. When you're out in the fresh air and your heart is pumping, it's hard
to feel worried for very long. Even better, grab a friend and do something
active together. Soon you'll be laughing your head off and won't even remember
what you were worried about.
6) Do Something About It! Don't just sit their lamenting about how you won't
make the team- get out there and practice! Don't worry about messing up your
lines -- grab some friends and rehearse! Work on that solo, study that algebra,
plan for that party. When you're actively doing something to get ready, you're
less likely to worry.
7) Prepare. Worried about things like earthquakes, fires, choking, or
kidnapping? You may feel helpless, but there is something you can do. Contact
your local fire department for information about what to do in case of a fire or
other natural disaster. Take a class from an organization like the Red Cross to
learn about medical emergencies. Sign up for a self-defense clinic to get the
scoop on techniques for staying safe. When you've taken steps to prepare
yourself, there's less reason to worry.
Worrying is no fun, but it doesn't have to be that way. The right actions can
leave you feeling relaxed, prepared, and confident -- and a whole lot happier! But
remember, if you're worried about something potentially very dangerous or
serious -- a friend with an eating disorder, or a boy who threatened to bring a
gun to class -- please tell someone immediately. No one will think you're a
"tattletale" if you save them from harm. And if you're constantly worried
about trivial things, so worried you can't sleep and are always miserable, tell
a parent or counselor. There is help.
"Worry is interest paid in advance for a debt you may never owe."
JasmineK
Wishing you a worry-free year
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