THIS never goes away completely

Worrying never goes away completely, but it's on us to keep our concerns over the future at bay.

Teens worry about what college will bring, especially if they plan to go out of state.

Seniors worry over their will and making arrangements for when it's their time to go.

Expectant parents are nervous about whether they'll be able to handle parenthood.

Recently laid off employees feel angst over whether they have enough money to provide for their family while looking to snag another job.

Our relationships, dreams, fears, goals-- not to mention the stage of life we find ourselves in -- each play a role in shaping the very worries that plague our minds.

While it's imperative we keep our concerns under control so as to mitigate the anxiety that undoubtedly ensues, worries -- and a little pressure, for that matter -- aren't always bad.

In fact, they may propel us to resolve problems and strive to achieve goals we might otherwise
not pay much attention to.

For example, you might not feel as motivated to lose weight, exercise, and make other important lifestyle changes if your latest bloodwork doesn't leave you biting your nails.

And if the "C" you got in math class didn't put you at risk of losing your scholarship, perhaps you wouldn't exert yourself in the manner expected of an honors student.

The secret sauce to success is turning adversity into opportunity -- channeling all that stress and worry into growth.

So how can one do this?

It starts with a deep breath and keeping the following in mind:

1. You won't resolve your problems overnight. Instead of trying to conquer the beast in one fell swoop, take it one step at a time.

2. Try calming mechanisms. What puts you in a good, relaxed mood? Is it playing with your dog? Taking a leisurely stroll at the beach? Playing the piano? It always helps to step away from your troubles and distract your mind so you can come back to them with a fresh perspective.

3. Try to stay in the present. Nothing breeds anxiety quite like ruminating on the future. But why focus so much on something that hasn't yet come to pass? Whether your wedding is in a month or your presentation at work is next Tuesday, you should aim to prepare for the occasion without continually contemplating the what-ifs. All you can do is try your best!

4. Be positive. While it's normal to worry over health issues or financial woes, negative thinking won't do anything to help your cause. If anything, it will set you back, potentially squeezing all hope and motivation out of you. Believe in yourself, and never give in to negativity.

Remind yourself that you've overcome tough challenges before, and you can do it again. While we may not be able to quell our worries entirely, we can certainly do our part to keep them in check and use them to our advantage.

No response from someone IS a response

Make no mistake about it: When you don't get a response from someone -- whether they fail to answer your texts or return your phone calls -- it is still a response, and a powerful one at that. When a person fails to respond, it's a direct reflection of their interest -- or lack thereof -- in the relationship. Few things are more aggravating than having to hound a partner, friend, or relative for some sort of reply after we've reached out to them. Yes, we get busy from time to time, but that doesn't give anyone the right to leave the other person hanging. A terse text with something like "Been busy, will reach out soon" doesn't say much, but at least it shows some effort to bring the other person up to speed on why they've fallen off the radar. Failing to provide a response for weeks -- if not months -- communicates that you are just not a priority, and that you'll have to wait your turn to get this individual's attention. This is n...

Do you have Isolophilia? Find out...

You're probably asking yourself, "What in the world does Isolophilia mean?" It sounds like it would be something negative, doesn't it? After all, words that end in "philia" (e.g., pedophilia) tend to involve things we want nothing to do with. But Isolophilia isn't something all people deplore. In fact, introverts like me welcome it. Put simply, Isolophilia is defined as having a strong affinity for solitude. It describes a person who relishes being alone. While extroverts can only take so much solitude, we introverts find that it rejuvenates us. In order to recharge our batteries, we need to retreat to a quiet environment where we we're left alone to rest and/or gather our thoughts. Extroverts, on the other hand, become bored and drained when they're alone for a lengthy period of time. Social interaction is the fuel that drives them. So while an extrovert would probably do anything to avoid feelings of Isolophilia in most cases, an...

This will spell the end of your relationship

When asked to think about the most common culprits for a relationship's going south, most people will point to cheating, complacency, and taking one's partner for granted. While these are all valid -- and documented in various posts on this blog -- there are certain habits on the part of partners that may not kill the relationship right away, but cause it to erode more gradually. Among the most egregious of these is expecting your significant other to be perfect. They pick at your follies any chance they get. Nothing you do is ever good enough. In fact, you will never measure up to an ex, neighbor, or accomplished co-worker. Perhaps this all sounds a bit familiar. When you feel as though you're constantly being put under the microscope, it can inflict lasting damage on the relationship and your self-esteem. You're walking on eggshells all the time, praying you don't say or do something that's going to trigger your partner. This is no way to live, let alone ca...

How To Understand People

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