Catastrophising

[Namechangeagain84]

Have spent all night thinking of the worst case scenarios regarding the storm tomorrow and an issue going on in another part of the world!
Cue, googling a particular world leader and trying to predict what could happen, researching during the night and then accepting the worst case scenario.
I would laugh at my brain and ridiculous thought if it didn't follow by feeling so worn out and a headache.
It happens with simple things too though: someone doesn't reply to a text and I think they're annoyed / don't really like me. Someone wants a word and I think they're going to give me the worst news such as losing my job.
It's exhausting sometimes.

I do the same

I think it helps to try and keep telling yourself that world events aren't going to be altered by you worrying about it and what will happen will happen. Try to steer clear of following the news too closely and have a couple of days off from the news each week. Things often blow over. Very little actually affects us as we are fortunate to live in a peaceful and safe country, contrary to what the press would have us believe.

Have a look at Stoic Philosophy. There's videos on YouTube. You don't need to do a lot of difficult/extensive reading to embrace this Philosophy. It's very practical and user friendly.

Putin's been a pita for over 20 years now. He's getting older and wants to keep up with the lads. Most of what he does is machismo. He's not stupid enough to press the button.

I hear you. Even when you know you’re doing it, thar doesn’t seem to much help.

When it comes to world events type stuff, I deal with it through hyperfocusing on becoming an expert in the whole thing (or for storms I went though a bit of a prepping phase). I replace the anxiety with interest in a way.

That doesn’t work for things like texts though!

Thanks for the replies and advice. I'll look into that @BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation, and you're right, we're very fortunate where we live.
I also carry a guilt.of worrying because if I was in those countries, I don't know what I'd do. So I think about those people too.

Totally pointless. What can anyone do? We can't alter world events can we.

Think I'll steer clear of the news - I've been looking at it too much recently.