Some American Indian Tribes use worry dolls to help children release their fears. Before bedtime, children tell their worries to their doll and then tuck the doll under their pillow. Now, the child can sleep with a peaceful mind knowing that the doll is keeping the worries. What a great concept!
How often do you ruminate about the same worries? Take a moment now to think about the common worries that go through your mind daily. How do these worries make you feel?
Wouldn’t it be great if we could release all of our repetitive worries to a doll and free ourselves from the bondage of useless worries? Of course, it can be useful to have some concerns so we can plan for a safe future. But we should be honest with ourselves about how much our worries are helping us and how much they are hurting us.
Another technique, similar to a worry doll, is to write down your worries and then give yourself permission to clear your mind. Or you can just notice when your worries start to come to the forefront of your attention and give yourself permission to let go for now so you can be present for the gift of the current moment.
We are hardwired to worry- to be anxious. It is our anxiety that saved us from the saber-toothed tigers. But let’s be honest, how many of us are worrying about a saber-tooth tiger? So, let’s together release our worries, take a deep breath, and let go.
washingtondcpsychotherapy.com 