Are You Worrying About Something or Someone? Research Says It’s A Waste of Time
By Ahmad Amirali
Generally, as human, we almost spent half of our life worrying about something or someone related/unrelated to our lives. Students worry about their future or the exams which are due, teachers worry about the course completion, parents worry about their children’s performance in their school, school worry about how to overcome the shortfall of teachers and the resources in upcoming years. Everybody is somehow engaged in some sort of activity or thinking that makes them involved in a feeling called – worry. Why we worry about certain situations and is it healthy?
We worry when we start assuming that we have no longer hold on a certain situation or we start questioning or doubting our own methods of solving an issue that might be important to us. However, researchers believe that worry is a useless emotion. Recently, I read a book review of Tara Westover book The Educated. In her book, she illustrated her years of experiences of exploring belief systems she was raised with; they were so extreme that it might have been easier to challenge the thought alterations through her education. However, worry is deceptive, often justified and at the same time useless. It can be defined as ‘to give way to anxiety or unease; allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles.’ The key is that it is ‘giving way’ to anxiety and allowing your mind to fixate on problems.
Those who are worriers often justify their thoughts and behaviours as being prudent, heading off danger and protective in some way. Many people who worry a lot tend anxiety disorders, even though they do not have mental health issues previously. Moreover, people who constantly listens to the worst-case scenarios would hurt their lives because they always worry about the safety of their lives. They started to overthink about the unknown/unseen dangers they might have from someone or something. Be careful, watch out… just a few of the statements that can become almost superstitious when not said, because what if the one time I don’t say them, something bad happens.
If you think that I am not worrying enough, research indicates that 85% of what subjects worried about did not happen, and of the things that did happen, 79% was manageable, which means that 97% of what you worry about could be a product of your mind. However, worry does not lead to action; it leads to more worry or contagious worry.
Personally, not as a teacher but a layman, I worry a lot that sometimes I felt frustrated and started hating everyone, and everything that surrounds me. However, recently, I changed my thinking routine and developed a sense that if anything is going to happen with me, it will be destined for me to happen. So, why would I need to worry on such things which are not even in my control. Since last year, I made a point where I am less concerned about such uncontrollable things, and I am going good in both personal and professional life.