Worry is an all-too-common human emotion. It's a thief that robs us of our present joy and of our overall health. The key to stopping the cycle of worry lies in understanding its roots and developing a thoughtful approach to managing it. This blog post will guide you through four steps on how to stop worrying, using principles inspired by experimentation and experience.
Step 1: Notice Your Breathing and Bodily Sensations
The first step in recognizing that you need relief from worry by becoming aware of how you feel. When worry takes hold, it immediately manifests physically through quickened breathing, increased heart rate, and a general sense of unease. By focusing on your breath, you can ground yourself in the present moment. Slow, deep breaths can help to calm the nervous system and bring about a sense of peace.
Take note of any bodily sensations you're experiencing. Are your shoulders tense? Is your brow furrowed? These physical signs are indicators of the worried thoughts you're pursuing. By observing them without judgement, you're taking the first steps towards releasing them.
Step 2: Admit That Your Meaningless Thoughts Have Attacked Your Sovereignty
Our mind is incredibly powerful, capable of projecting entire “realities” based on our thoughts. Worrying causes our mind to project negative thinking patterns, allowing them to dictate our emotions and actions.
This step involves acknowledging that these thoughts are not serving you, but rather attacking your peace of mind.
Thoughts that justify worry are not an accurate reflection of reality, but an illusion founded on fear and uncertainty. By admitting that these thoughts are meaningless, awareness of your sovereignty can be restored to your mind.
Step 3: Accept That You Need to Be Released From the "Reality" You Made
Once you've acknowledged that your worrisome thoughts are not serving you, the next step is to accept that you need release from the reality they’ve made. This "reality" is often filled with worst-case scenarios and negative outcomes that are highly unlikely to occur.
Accepting that this reality is not true or helpful can be challenging, but it's a crucial step towards releasing worry. Remember, accepting isn't about denying your feelings or pretending everything is fine; it's about acknowledging that your current perspective isn't serving you and opening yourself up to a new one.
Step 4: Ask Your Higher Mind for a Different Interpretation
The final step is to seek a new perspective from your higher mind. This doesn't mean ignoring the situation, yet it does requirewillingness to see that the situation doesn't exist as you see it. It requires asking for guidance to see the situation in a new light, one that promotes peace rather than worry.
By appealing to your higher mind (also known as The Holy Spirit), you open yourself up to wisdom and insight that your conscious mind might not have access to. This step can lead to profound shifts in understanding, providing you with a renewed sense of calm and certainty.
Conclusion:
Learning how to stop worrying is a process that involves awareness, acceptance, and a willingness to release the meaning you gave to yourself and to the world. By practicing the above steps, you can begin to be released from the patterns of worry and embrace a more peaceful, gentle, and certain perspective.
