Health Happenings
Aging and Worry
By Sandi Browne, LPCC
The Heritage Program for Senior Adults
"I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened."
Mark Twain
Some people worry more than others. You know them. Maybe you are one. They often chew on some possible event like a dog gnawing an old bone, willing to fight if you try to take it away. Some worriers are perfectionists seeking the correct answer. Some have a nearly superstitious belief if they worry enough, the feared event won't happen. Worrying gives all of them something to do and a feeling of control.
Unfortunately, all that worrying doesn't make life go the way the worriers want. It can even get in the way. Worry through negative self-talk simply distracts the mind from doing what can be done about the problem at hand.
As we age, life can present many challenging situations around health, finances, and emotional losses that can include careers, mates, children, and even purpose. These challenges become fodder for the worrying mind and a moderate worrier can turn into a professional with great speed.
In the past, have you ever worried about failing a test, imagining the worst scenarios? With visions of failure and the increasing negative emotion, you probably found it more difficult to focus on the subject matter, to actually study for the test. By painting mind-pictures of possible negative outcomes, we create stress for ourselves. In turn, stress impacts our system and interferes with our ability to solve problems. More negative self-talk leads to more stress which leads to more negative self-talk which leads to more stress, ad nauseum. This cycle can turn into full-fledged anxiety and even panic attacks.
So, what's a worrywart to do, especially as they age?
First, get rid of the idea that worrying serves a positive purpose. It doesn't. It only diminishes your ability to solve whatever problem you face and take appropriate action if needed.
Second, take a deep breath and relax the body. Lack of air and body tenseness impairs your physical and mental/emotional being.
Third, ask yourself, "Is there anything I can do now to help with this situation?" If there is, go do it. If not, when your mind starts chewing at you, tell it to stop and reassure yourself that you are doing everything that can be done at this time.
Fourth, for intellectual honesty, you could create positive images that are best-case scenarios. "I'll win the lotto and pay my bills" has about as much chance of happening as "They'll take everything and I'll become homeless." Certainly bad things do happen, but a lot of good things happen also. You may have noticed most situations resolve somewhere between the two extremes.
And last, know that whatever life serves up, you have the resources inside of you to handle it. You may have to turn to others for assistance, but you'll be able to manage.
For people of Faith, it's a time to walk the talk. Aging is like being a student in advanced Spiritual studies where you can learn surrender and acceptance, balanced with action.
We all need remember what psychologist, Leo Buscaglia said, "Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy."
Sandi Browne is a Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor who works with The Heritage Program for Senior Adults in Ruidoso. The Heritage Program offers older individuals an opportunity to improve the quality of their lives by reducing distress and maximizing their ability to function independently. Heritage serves the Alamogordo senior community and Lincoln County. For more information, call (575) 257-0491.
This column is provided as a service of the Otero County Community Health Council and the Alamogordo Daily News as a way to provide the latest in health and wellness information, services and events. The Mission of the OCCHC is "to assess, promote, and enhance the health and well being of county residents by creating a process that encourages broad-based community involvement." If you would like more information about OCCHC or would like to be a part of our efforts, contact Lee Ann Loney, OCCHC Coordinator, at 700 E. First Street, Suite 720, Alamogordo, NM 88310, 443-8100, oteromch@netmdc.com for more information. The Community Health Council meets the first Tuesday of each month, 11:30 am at The Counseling Center, 1900 E. 10th St. Articles for this column are submitted by Health Council partners, but do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Otero County Community Health Council.Otero County Community Health Council
700 E. 1st St.
Suite 720
Alamogordo, NM
88310
(575) 443-8100
Fax (575) 437-2949
oterochc@tularosa.net
oteromch@netmdc.com