We all lie awake at night sometimes, lost in thought or gripped by worry. But how do you tell them apart? Understanding the difference between thinking and worrying is crucial. Join me, Pedrouchka, on this journey aboard the worry train.
I'm Pedrouchka, a 51-year-old student counselor at a secondary school. In 2007, I became the victim of a medical error that left me bedridden for an extended period. During that time, I did a lot of brooding. Since then, I've deeply studied worrying and now help others manage it. Over the next few weeks, I'll guide you on the worry train, explaining what worrying really is and sharing practical tips and thinking exercises.
Worrying is a persistent state of mind trapped in an uncontrollable, pessimistic thinking pattern. These thoughts can revolve around past negative experiences, personal concerns like finances or health, or fears about social developments.
Did you know that 90% of people worry at some point? And 76% of those who worry frequently struggle to sleep because of it? Remarkably, 40% of the things we worry about never even happen!
We worry about all sorts of things, but most often it's the important, challenging ones—like work difficulties, relationship issues, or health concerns for ourselves or loved ones.
You can spot worrying thoughts when they start with phrases like: "Didn't I have better…," "What if…," "Why me?" or "Suppose…."
Uncertainty and fear fuel worrying, so addressing them is key if you worry often.
There's a significant distinction between thinking and worrying. Here's how to spot it:
Research shows some people worry more due to innate tendencies, past negative experiences, or being raised by frequent worriers.
Grasping this theory is the first step. In upcoming blogs, I'll share tailored solutions. Enjoy the New Year's month!
Kind regards,
Pedrouchka
