According to research, up to 90% of the things people worry about never happen. A study by Cornell University found that 85% of the things people worry about never come to pass.
Of the remaining 15% that do happen, 79% of people find that the challenge is easier to handle than expected, or that they learn something valuable from it. This means that 97% of the things people worry about are not worth worrying about.
However, many people continue to worry compulsively, playing the "what if?" game for days, weeks, months, and years. This is because there is a behavioral reinforcement for chronic worrying. Studies also show that people who worry a lot are generally less effective than those who don't; they get less work done and are often less happy.
To tackle chronic worrying, set aside a specific "worry time" each day, practice deep breathing or meditation to stay grounded in the present, challenge negative thoughts by writing them down and finding evidence against them, and focus on small, actionable steps to address the concerns within your control.
