Are We Worrying Too Much?

   As The Cultural Skeptic, I see myself as an objective spectator of life in general, not an expert on everything but a casual observer with a Masters Degree in Common Sense and Functional Logic. 

   Okay. That’s a stretch. It isn’t a real degree but it should be. Sorry for the fib. 

   But seriously, there’s a lot to be called out and explored. 

                        Are We More Medicated or More Anxious?

   One thing I’ve noticed is the precipitous use of anti-anxiety medications. The promotions are everywhere, showing the happy patients while describing the long list of potential side effects. 

   Anxiety.org reports a significant rise in the use of psychiatric meds. One in five adults take at least one drug to manage anxiety. That’s a 22% increase in the last twenty five years. 

   That is a lot of suffering people. The numbers are higher for women.

   Is there more to be anxious about or just more treatments being offered?

                   Worry Is A Misuse of The Imagination

   One of my favorite authors, Andy Andrews, puts stress and worry in an uncommon perspective in his book The Noticer. Check him out at andyandrews.com. 

   In a conversation between an old sage and a man consumed with worry, Andrews lays out an interesting analysis of anxiety. 

   Jones, the sage, tells Walker how worry is a misuse of the creative imagination. He explains that approximately 40% of things people worry about never actually happen. Conjecture over what might or could happen is a waste of mental energy and time to be spent on more productive pursuits. 

   Another 30% of worry triggers happened in the past and nothing can change the outcome. Likewise, this is a complete loss, offering a zero return since it’s frozen in time. 

   Physical aches and pains account for about 12%. A disease that may be in our genes or a limb that’s sore for no reason. This is a natural part of aging and seldom indicates a death sentence. 

   10% of what people worry about is what other people think of them, or What did he mean by that? Did she smirk? Etc. This is an exceptional waste of resources because you can’t really know what others think, and you’re unable to change it anyway. 

                                         The 8% Rule

   If you have been doing the math, this leaves 8% of things we worry about are legitimate concerns. 

   8%.

   Of the single digit percentage of concerns that are real, there are actions to take or solutions to be found to deal with them. 

   This is great news. If you are plagued by an issue, one thing you can do is calculate the odds to determine where it falls in the paradigm and how much energy to devote to it. This model could reduce anxiety and let you breathe easier.

I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened." Mark Twain

                              Gratitude Is The Antidote

   If worry is an issue, the second practice to start is gratitude. Thankfulness is a superpower that dispels so much angst when stacked against the good things in life you already possess.  

   Is your living space climate controlled? Do you enjoy electricity and indoor plumbing? Then you are doing better than most of the third world. 

   Poor people in the United States of America are the envy of the poor everywhere else. 

   It isn’t just creature comforts to be grateful for. 

   If something went sideways today, would you have a friend or family member to call for help? People who care are as wonderful as indoor plumbing. Just a different kind of blessing. 

   Can you get up and walk across the room? Dress yourself? Are you able to see light pouring through the window, hear the birds sing? Wow. You are blessed.

   And so am I. 

   Just because something is commonplace to most people doesn’t mean it isn’t a crazy, beautiful thing we all take for granted. Like the worry statistics, it’s the perspective we adopt that matters.

                                   Faith And Worry

   Jesus knew how humans are security minded. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Mat 6:34 NASB

   Paul concurred. “Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything.” Phil 4:6 CEV

   We have all heard the statistics about declining belief in God and church attendance. One has to wonder if there isn’t a correlation between the decrease in faith and the rise of anti-anxiety medications. It’s just a thought. 

                                A Better Use Of Our Time

   Every generation had difficulties to deal with; wars, plagues, depressions and more. Some tend to think our time on the planet is exceptionally bad. It’s not. 

   I’m not discounting the concerns we all have. It’s a crazy world. But at the same time, we have a limited time here and should spend it wisely with as much contentment and blessing counting as possible.