Work Your Woes Away [publisher's letter]

As I was reading this month’s article “12 Quick Fixes for Anxiety,” I kept thinking, “Where is the quick fix I use?” Personally, I’ve found working is the best “medicine” for my anxiety, worry, blues―a technique actually backed by famous American writer and lecturer Dale Carnegie in his book, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.

Some good old-fashioned work seems to dissolve any worries of the day. And the type of work can be anything from engaging in business responsibilities to cleaning the house, as long as it’s something that keeps me moving in body and/or mind and keeps me in a productive mode. Working out can do the trick, too, especially if it involves sweating!

I’ve actually made a habit of addressing anxiety with work. Most days I work in some capacity, but the tendency to procrastinate due to overthinking when I’m worrying usually leaves me with an unproductive, unfulfilling day (and time is a nonrenewable resource!). To solve this, I’ve made a habit of automatically going to work on something if I wake up in worry mode.

We all have down days from time to time as well, and I know that getting to work on something helps me immensely with that. I recall being in a funk years ago, and I pushed myself to do a major organization of my closet. Not only did I feel better by the end of the day, but I accomplished something I had been meaning to do for ages. And the day was over before I knew it.

Because that’s the thing, for most of us, we just need to get through the day―the worry, anxiety, blues will be gone when we wake up tomorrow.