| I admit it. I am a worrier. I've decided that my | | | | Monster starts grumbling at you, just wave the |
| worrying is due to an annoying little monster | | | | strategies in its face to remind it who's in control! |
| appropriately named, the Worry Monster. I have | | | | LAUGH AT YOUR WORRY MONSTER |
| bought countless books and CDs, all of which | | | | Worry Monsters hate it when they hear you laughing. |
| promised to dispose of this devilish little thing. But it | | | | It just saps all their power. If one is hanging around |
| still pops up now and then. | | | | your house, find ways to make yourself laugh. |
| Finally, I realized instead of trying to get rid of it, I | | | | In addition, they tend to take themselves VERY |
| needed to negotiate a compromise. I would agree to | | | | seriously. Therefore, the best thing to do is make fun |
| live with it, but it could NOT run my life! Learning to | | | | of your Worry Monster. Laugh in its face. This tactic |
| live with my Worry Monster was a conscious | | | | usually annoys it so much it will slink off and hide. |
| decision. I was tired of trying to prove it wrong. | | | | TALK WITH A FRIEND TO CALM YOUR WORRY |
| Worry monsters are very sneaky. There's always a | | | | MONSTER |
| kernel of truth to what they tell you. Worry is about | | | | Friends can give you a different perspective. There is |
| the possibility of something bad happening. Well, | | | | a caveat here: Be sure you pick people who have |
| guess what? Something bad can happen and | | | | control over their own Worry Monsters. The last |
| sometimes does! This is the power of Worry | | | | thing you need to hear is, "Oh, that's terrible! I'd be |
| Monsters; the possibility that they just might be right. | | | | worried too!" Find someone who can listen while |
| In dealing with my Worry Monster, I've found that | | | | offering positive and constructive support. |
| the most effective strategy is to do things that | | | | Remember, Worry Monsters thrive on your fears; |
| keep me in control of it. If you also struggle with a | | | | they need to keep you anxious. Good friends ease |
| persistent Worry Monster, here are some ideas for | | | | your anxiety by getting you to look at your worries |
| you to consider: | | | | in a different way. In addition, if something bad does |
| STOP TRYING TO KILL YOUR WORRY MONSTER | | | | happens, they're there to help you through it. |
| I know it's so tempting. But like any monster, when | | | | EXERCISE AND CHASE AWAY YOUR WORRY |
| you try to kill it, it will just fight back. Worry | | | | MONSTER |
| Monsters are not good for you, but you ended up | | | | Worry Monsters prefer slouching on top of your |
| with yours for a reason. It is important to figure out | | | | shoulders and playing with your mind. They are not |
| what it's trying to tell you. | | | | fond of physical activity. Therefore, if you take a |
| So, really listen for the messages behind your worry. | | | | long walk with the dog, run on your treadmill, or just |
| Is it that you might fail, not live up to someone's | | | | do jumping jacks for ten minutes, your Worry |
| expectations, or that you might not be able to cope | | | | Monster will find someplace else to hang out. |
| with something? Whatever the message is, it's | | | | Worry requires a lot of mental energy. When you |
| important to hear and acknowledge it. Once you do | | | | exercise, your mind has to focus on the energy your |
| this, you are on your way to quieting your Worry | | | | body needs. Consequently, there is not much left |
| Monster's annoying chatter. | | | | over to feed your Worry Monster. This is a good |
| TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR WORRY MONSTER | | | | thing. Most Worry Monsters could stand to lose a bit |
| Worry Monsters hate it when you take control. It's | | | | of weight! |
| like the alpha dog stuff. You better be sure your | | | | I've listed five ideas that can help you manage your |
| Worry Monster knows YOU are the alpha dog. | | | | Worry Monster. You can use them or create your |
| Otherwise, it will take control and proceed to tell you | | | | own. Have fun thinking of the ways you can stop |
| everything that could go wrong in your life. | | | | your Worry Monster from being such a pest. You |
| You can stop it, however, if you develop strategies | | | | may not eliminate it from your life, but it is possible |
| for handling what might go wrong. Write these | | | | to coexist with it! |
| strategies down and keep them. When your Worry | | | | |