Why Do I Worry So Much?

Worry, worry, worry… Why do I worry so much?

If you find yourself in a constant state of worry, you are surely not alone. Who hasn’t been in a ball of worry over these past two years? People are feeling the stress big time. With so many ups and downs, and with the ongoing fear of catching Covid, worry just happens.

So, when does worry become a mental health problem? It becomes problematic when our fears, worries, and stress become so enhanced that we struggle to function. Even the most basic daily tasks seem enormous and daunting. We become frozen by our worries.

Anxiety disorders happen to be the most common mental health disorder in the US, with over 40 million people battling anxiety each year. Feelings of fear and dread, especially when out of proportion to the threat, can signal an anxiety disorder. Keep reading to learn more about stress and anxiety.

What Causes Constant Worry?

If you are an adult living in the world, you worry. There is no way around it. We worry about everything—our money problems, our relationships, our kids, our job, and our health.

Inside our heads is the constant chatter that too often claims our peace. How often do we find ourselves replaying past events over and over in our heads, thinking we have been wronged? How often do we run the list of things that can go wrong on repeat in our minds? How often do we fail to take a risk in life because we are so worried about failing?

If you find yourself asking, “Why do I worry so much?” then at least you have taken the first step. Simply asking that question can lead you to seek help in finding a solution.

The truth is that some of us by nature are just more prone to worry and ‘glass half empty’ thinking. It might be a personality trait, or the distorted thoughts might have been learned from your parents. Maybe you have a history of trauma. There are many reasons why you find yourself in constant worry mode.

Am I a Just a Worry Wart or Do I Have an Anxiety Disorder?

You may find that your daily state of mind is in turmoil due to worry. Worrying so much can impact your sleep, your appetite, and even cause physical symptoms. If this is the case, you might be struggling with an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety symptoms might include:

• Feelings of dread, fear, and worry that consume your thoughts.
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Changes in appetite.
• Mood swings.
• Upset stomach.
• Headaches
• Sweating
• Racing heart.
• Racing thoughts.
• Chest pain.
• Shaking

Now, let’s learn a bit more about anxiety disorder.

About Anxiety

Did you know that one out of five of us struggle with some form of anxiety? Those unsettling feelings that set our hearts racing and our palms sweating are hard-wired into us for a purpose. It is called the fight or flight response, and it is primal.

This chemical response to a sense or fear or feeling threatened prompts us to flee (flight) or push through (fight). These are normal reactions to things that are scare or shock us.

But when we find our days (and nights) consumed with worry, then there is a good chance that we are struggling with an anxiety disorder. There are multiple subtypes of anxiety. The spectrum of anxiety disorders includes:

• Generalized anxiety disorder.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Panic disorder.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Social anxiety disorder.
• Specific phobias.

Treatment for anxiety involves a combination of talk therapy and medication. The good news is that anxiety is highly treatable, and symptoms can be managed quite well.

Holistic Help to the Rescue

There are many types of holistic methods to further augment the effects of the traditional treatment for anxiety. And they can be helpful even if you don’t have a diagnosed anxiety disorder. If you just want to learn techniques that help you relax and not worry so much, give these a try:

GROUNDING. Grounding refers to the practice of being one with nature. Grounding techniques include walking barefoot, or standing barefoot in the sand, on the grass, or the dirt. By standing for a time on these surfaces you can connect with the earth. The idea of grounding is to reduce the effects of stress through the earth’s natural electrical energy.

DEEP BREATHING. Try this deep breathing technique to quickly reduce blood pressure and heart rate. Inhale slowly to a count of five; hold the breath for a count of five; slowly release the breath to a count of five. Repeat five times and see how much calmer you feel.

YOGA. Yoga uses movement and focused breathing to bring about deep relaxation, as it helps release muscle tension. The positions also help to tone and stretch the muscles. Find the perfect style of yoga for you.

MINDFULNESS. This is a type of meditation that helps you take control over your thought distractions. When you stop dwelling on negative feelings and thoughts you can acknowledge the source of pain or disturbance without judgment.

Don’t Worry…Be Happy

As simplistic as it might seem, cultivating a positive attitude can help calm your nerves. Shift to positive self-talk, and nip those gloomy thoughts in the bud. Build up your confidence by tackling a new challenge. Volunteer your time to nurture a sense of purpose. All of these actions will help you achieve a more positive mindset.

If you are plagued by constant worry, and wonder why you worry so much, maybe you have an anxiety disorder. Why not reach out to a mental health expert for support.

Mental Health Hope Can Help You Get to the Bottom of Your Worrying

Mental Health Hope is a free online resource for all things mental health. Our caring and supportive team is here to help guide you toward the best treatment options for your needs. If you are dealing with constant worrying, give our team a call today at (877) 967-9274.