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.

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