Let’s talk about worry—the sneaky little critter that can gobble up our peace like it’s the last slice of pizza. We all know worry can creep in and turn our best moments into stress-fueled marathons. My mom, an incredible woman but also the queen of worry, did this like no one else. Seriously, if worrying were an Olympic sport, she’d have brought home the gold every time! Over the years, her stress took such a toll on her health that I vowed to find a better way.
Today, I keep a sign next to my bed that reads, “Worrying is just a prayer for what you don’t want.” I repeat it like a nightly mantra—because if you’re going to have a bedtime ritual, it might as well be one that tells those pesky worries to take a hike. And believe me, when my oldest started driving, it was like a switch flipped inside me. And now that my youngest is on the road, these techniques are my lifeline.
I recently shared a little trick I learned (from my obsessive podcast listening) with a client who was drowning in stress—something called “worry time.” Here’s the deal: set aside one dedicated hour a day (it could even be just 10 minutes) just for worrying. When a worry pops up at any other time, simply say, “Not now… I’ll worry about it at 4pm.” It might sound a bit quirky, but trust me, it’s like putting your concerns on a timed waiting list so they don’t ruin your day.
By designating a specific time for worry, you’re giving yourself permission to deal with those nagging thoughts later. That way, you free up your day for what really matters—connection, laughing, and maybe even some productivity. It’s a small change with a big payoff, allowing you to be present without the constant background noise of anxiety.
Remember, worry doesn’t fix anything—it just drains your energy faster than you can say “Where did I put my keys?” So let’s reclaim our peace of mind and take control of our thoughts. Try setting aside your worry time, and you might just find your day becomes a whole lot brighter.
Just as a heads up…worrying raises your cortisol and will make it a heck of a lot harder to lose weight and stay healthy. Come see me at my natural weight loss center in Boca Raton for some stress-relieving tips!