To ask how you stop worrying about things?

[SilverNewMoon]

I'm worrying excessively at the moment about things that could or may happen. Does anyone have any tips on how to get some perspective?

If it continues self refer to steps to well being. I did over the phone CBT for anxiety and it was a god send! Unfortunately my tips and exercises were ultimately about worrying about what other people thought/would feel, so it was more about finding evidence for my worries- doesn’t really work for you! One technique that did help was to visualise a stream with a tree. Every time you have a worry you see it on the leaf and let it float away. It sounds stupid but I did it before bed and would sleep much better. Hope you’re ok xxx

I just stopped caring or giving a fuck. I used to tie myself in knots worrying and overthinking but a life changing event made me realise that all the petty shit I used to worry about didn’t matter .
Everyone is so wrapped up in their own lives that they don’t care about yours either.
And even in the worst case scenario and the shit did hit the fan it’s never really as bad as you think it is

Write the worries down so they're out of your head.

When you're in bed and trying to sleep but worrying is stopping you from doing so, play games in your mind such as the alphabet game (e.g. an animal, a name or a type of food for each letter if the alphabet) or walk though your dream house and imagine the layout and the decor.

Speak to your gp and arrange some form of therapy or counselling to help you develop coping strategies.

CBT helped me somewhat - but at some point, almost overnight, (maybe it's an age thing) I stopped giving so much of a shit.

It just sunk in that life is so short, I don't want to waste much more of it worrying over stuff that:

1. already happened (can't do anything about it, it's done)
2. might or might not happen (can't predict the future)
3. is happening (it's never going to be as bad as you think)

I literally have a word with myself. Either in my head or out loud. I just think or say: OK that's enough, This is getting me nowhere. What can I think about that's more useful or constructive. What shall we have for tea tonight? Do I have time to fix the lawnmower before DC get home from school etc. Just ease your way back into the life that's right under your nose and focus on living it.

SSRIs. Never been so relaxed and happy.

Well if the thoughts are becoming more intrusive I would suggest asking for a referral to your local MH unit and perhaps receiving psychological therapy.

What I do if I start to ruminate unproductively (as in going over and over something but not coming up with solutions) is to remember you can only think one thought at a time. Catch yourself worrying and replace your thought with another more positive thought. If you keep doing this it will become second nature and you will be more positive and therefore less of a worrier.

Start by writing down some thoughts that you will replace your anxious thoughts with. I know it isn't easy but you will be able to do this if you persevere.

Following hopefully! Have this problem too. I hear mindfulness helps..