Why Do We Worry So Much?

Life can be complex, filled with ups and downs that trigger worries within us. There are many reasons that can cause a person to worry for a considerable amount of time or on a daily basis. Here are some reasons why a person can tend to worry:

• Life’s Uncertainties: Uncertainties in life often lead to worry as our minds seek a sense of control amidst discomfort.
• Thinking Too Much About the Future: Humans spend too much time thinking about the future, which opens the door to worrying about potential outcomes regarding financial difficulties, health issues, or relationship problems.
• Cognitive Biases: Humans are susceptible to biases, like the negativity bias, which amplifies the impact of negative events and information. This bias fuels excessive worry about negative possibilities and outcomes.
• Societal & Cultural Influences: Societal and cultural influences can play a huge role in constant worrying. For example, cultures that value achievements and success can cause a person to worry about meeting high expectations or failing to meet societal standards.
• Personal Experiences: Past experiences can also shape a person’s tendency to worry. Traumatic events or negative experiences can lead to heightened anxiety and worry about similar situations in the future.

These are just a list of several reasons that can cause a person to worry so much. Chronic worrying can have a significant impact on a person’s mental health.

The Effects of Worrying on Mental Health

Chronic worrying, which is also known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), can have significant effects on your mental health. Here’s how it can impact you:

• Increased Anxiety: Chronic worrying prolongs feelings of stress, making it difficult to relax and enjoy life.
• Negative Thought Patterns: Excessive worrying often accompanies negative thought patterns such as catastrophic thinking and expecting the worst-case scenario.
• Physical Symptoms: Chronic worrying can cause physical ailments such as headaches, muscle tension, fatigue, insomnia, and irritability.
• Social Isolation:  A person who tends to worry a lot will avoid certain situations or social interactions they perceive as stressful or threatening.
• Depression: Chronic worrying and negative thoughts can contribute to feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable.

With the help of a therapist, you can begin the process of eliminating your chronic worrying.

How to Eliminate Chronic Worrying

With the help of one of our professional therapists, you can begin the journey to eliminate your chronic worrying. There are many ways that one of our therapists can help you eliminate your chronic worrying, such as:

• Mindfulness
• CBT
• Creating strategies to challenge negative thoughts
• Learning to differentiate between productive worry and unproductive worry
• Creating problem-solving strategies to address the concerns that are causing the worry
• Learning relaxation techniques

Begin your journey to a worry-free life by reaching out to one of our therapists. Take the first step toward greater mental well-being and embrace a more carefree future.