By Tina L. O’Conner

I have an index-card sized plaque in my waiting room where Linus says to Charlie Brown…”Worrying won’t stop the bad stuff from happening. It just stops you from enjoying the good.” And we all know that Charles Shultz is one of the greatest philosophers of our time.

Simply put depression is trying change something from the past and anxiety is created trying to change the outcome of something that has not yet happened. As humans, we worry about both…things that already occurred and those things yet to occur.

First, how do we experience worrying in the workplace? As obvious as it may seem here are some examples. If we do not take time out for breaks and lunch, vying for a promotion, gossip, rumors or concrete information about layoffs, and personality conflicts.

Second, how do we experience worrying in our personal life? A few examples are balancing our careers and our personal life, getting our children to a variety of activities, or a loved one is in either physical or emotional pain or finances.

Third, worry takes a toll on our physical health. Generally speaking if there is not a medical explanation for the tension we feel in our bodies, there is a good chance you are worrying. Try some of the techniques listed below if you experience headaches, restless sleep, insomnia, racing thoughts, or are unable to focus.

How can we manage worry:

1. Breathe.
2. Exercise.
3. Take your breaks and lunch time. Get away from your desk.
4. Socialize.
5. Communicate with our employers about our work responsibilities.
6. Have coffee or a meal with friends.
7. Leave work at work and your personal life at home.
8. Use all of your vacation and mental health days.
9. Try something new.
10. Get in touch with your spiritual self.

Please pay attention to how much you worry and what you worry about. Worry interferes with all aspects of our lives.

Find that someone you can trust just like Charlie Brown did with Linus.

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Tina L. O’Connor, MS, NCC is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has a private counseling practice in Parkesburg. Tina attended college in Phoenixville and West Chester. Tina and her husband Doug have three amazing adult stepchildren and two beautiful grandchildren. Tina can be reached at Experience Positive Therapy via telephone at (610) 857-8089 or email at exppostherapy1@verizon.net.

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