What's the First Thing You Do...

I usually call my momma. She tends to be an overworrier like myself, so when shes convinced everything will be ok (she always is) makes me feel so much better. Love my mommy!

Geez, Im a baby! lol

Depends on what I'm worried about. I usually hide out on my screened porch, smoke a cigarette, and put the worry on paper, then stare at it. I'll write myself little notes as to why this is real, what I can physically do about it, why it's not so bad... until it becomes scribble on paper... then I toss it. It's the proverbial 'throwing out the bad'... once I READ what I've written, it becomes a silly worry, and it makes me feel a bit better.

Well this sounds bad, but when im not pregnant the first thing i do when i worry is pour a finger of a good scotch in a little tumbler glass and sip on it while i either go on the internet or the phone to solve my problem.

Im not a big drinker but a little edge taken off an anxious moment works on me every time.

But right now, since i cant drink, if i get freaked out i clean.

Unless it's a medical emergency...
I go smoke a cigarette, maybe say a little prayer and wait.
What's going to happen is going to happen, realizing I have no control over many things and staying calm is what helps me.
=)

I get busy! I pray, then find anything and everything that I can to keep my busy otherwise I'll have a racing heart and panic attacks. I can finally settle in and think when my emotions are not as extreme. Reading into ANYHING, especially health stuff totally freaks me out!

I go to the worst place imaginable. As soon as I've gotten that firmly in my mind, I'm good. Because reality rarely goes to the absolute worst place (although if it does, I'm prepped!), so no matter what happens, it's probably going to be better than I've planned for.

In my own mind my son had been orphaned, and the world has ended in fire more times than I can count.

That's me. Worst Case Scenario Optimist.

I call my mom or cousin and talk to them.

Depends on what I'm worried about.
In general, I'm not a "worrier" type.
I've learned that the stuff you worry about is rarely the stuff that happens...it's more the things that come hurling out of left field.
Low level worry--I tend to clean--my floors, my bathrooms, etc.
I also try to do some damage control. I think "OK, if xyz happens, then I can abc"....etc. so there is somewhat of a default plan in place for certain scenarios.
But, in general, I don't spend much time worrying--it's just not worth it. Better to put that energy into something productive and positive. Like hiding the chips and cookies! LOL

Worry is enemy # 1 for me. We can't be in fear and faith. We can't worry and be trusting the Lord completely. In the past I'd think about it, research like you, and pray. But now I just pray and try and think about something else.

I go straight to google... which usually makes the situation worse! :)

Ephie:

If I worry - I educate myself. I don't panic. If I can't find the answer I'm looking for - personal experience, I come here and ask the knowledgeable mamas!!

As to things I cannot control? I try very hard to be prepared instead of feeling out of control....preparation and education go a long way!!!

GOOD LUCK!

Hey, Ephie-- You are in good company! I do the exact same thing! Sometimes I do panic, but mostly I start looking for solutions with all sorts of research, mull it over and try to make peace with a solution. Sometimes I talk it over with a friend or two to check my judgment about the options available and then try to make the most informed decision. One thing I learned in graduate school was that sometimes you just have to make a choice as to how to proceed and, even when the procedure is wrong, it can often lead to a positive outcome. :)

I do two things. If it is my problem or very close to me: I talk incessively about it and ask EVERYONE I trust what they think. I need to talk it out while I gather information.

If someone else's situation, I pull into my memory banks of similar situations and tell the person my 50 cents (not any different than here!!!). Lordy. Lol. I also research online.

The first thing I do when I start to worry is : BREATHE. Then I PRAY. It helps me tremendously.

M

Usually I bake. It is therapeutic in itself, plus then I get to gorge myself with sweets (tactic #2 in dealing with stress, lol!) If I am worried about someone else, I will bake FOR them because it shows them I am thinking of them.

I also tend to clean a lot when I am worried. Again, it is therapeutic and I feel like I am accomplishing SOMETHING, which is a wonderful thing when I am feeling helpless to control other things in my life.

And tactic #3...Smoking, if the stress is astronomical.

I never said my tactics were healthy though.

I clean, it always makes me feel better. And I talk to my hubs about it, he always knows what to say to make me feel better.

i get on line and research things. i also just sit and think about it trying to work it out in my head and talk it out with someone.

1st thing I do - Google, always. Google is my go-to in every situtaion good or bad. I learn as much as I can, causes and cures. I look to see just how worried I should really be and look for how to fix it.
Once I know as much as I can about it, I share it with my husband. He's good at making everything seem like no big deal.
I know this is way out of order, but the last thing I do, when I'm worried is take it to God in prayer. Like, I said, probably should turn to God before Google, but this is the truth about me.. I'm a problem solver. It's not like me to sit around wringing my hands waiting for God to fix it. I take action. I only worry when I think somethings my fault or somethings out of my control. But once I realize it's out of my control, I let it go.

I'm a worry worm. I get a bit emotional, I stop talking to people, because I'm going through a thinking process. It takes time.

I go to bed and take a nap telling myself I will feel better when I wake up. I usually do. =)