Don't Get Sick With Worry

If you think that worrying is annoying but harmless, think again. Experts have linked increased anxiety to a host of other aliments.

1. Hot flashes. In a study of women approaching menopause, those with the highest levels of anxiety reported up to five times more hot flashes than the women who were least stressed.

2. Heart attacks. Long-term anxiety increases the risk of heart attack by 40 percent, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

3. Digestive problems. You might get a stomachache worrying about the presentation you have to give this week. In fact, the American Institute for Preventive Medicine says that ongoing agonizing can make you more susceptible to peptic ulcers.

4. Headaches. Stress is the most common cause of headaches, according to the National Women’s Health Information Center.



A Worry-Free You

10 Ways to Stop Worrying

It’s natural to worry during a major life event, such as getting a new job, moving, or having a baby. But if you find yourself fretting over small concerns, try these 10 tips to reduce your worries.

1. Just say no. Instead of overextending yourself, explain that you would like to help, but you don’t have the time.

2. Don’t be a hero. Delegate some of your responsibilities. Let someone else have the glory—and the anxiety.

3. Take a break. Take 20 minutes a day to just sit and breathe. Listen to soothing music, or sit in a quiet place.

4. Write it down. Writing down your worries in statements that start with “I am worried about” helps you pinpoint the source of your anxiety, according to Mind, a U.K. mental-health education group.

5. Take it one step at a time. Keep your mind on the task at hand, and try not to think about the things that you have to do later.

6. Confide in a friend. Expressing your worries aloud can help, and other people may think of solutions that you couldn’t.

7. Face your fear. Worries are essentially fears. The best way to manage them is to face them head-on.

8. Eat right. Poor eating habits, including having too much caffeine and sugar, can lead to feeling jittery and agitated, according to Mind. It also makes concentration difficult.

9. Don’t procrastinate. Leave extra time for important tasks. Allow for bad traffic when going to the airport. Print out your proposal early so that when the printer is out of ink, you have time to go to the store.

10. Kick the habit. Though some people feel like a cigarette calms them down, the need to have that cigarette can cause stress. This is true for other addictions as well.