Worry Deceit

August 1, 2024: Mark Twain famously said, “I’ve had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.” This quote succinctly captures the idea that much of our worry is unfounded and unnecessary, as the things we fear often do not come to pass.

The majority of worries, over 70 percent, never materialize, leaving us to realize that most of our anxieties are unfounded. A study conducted by Dr. Charles Mayo, co-founder of the Mayo Clinic found that 40% of worries are about things that will never happen, 30% of worries are about things that have already happened and cannot be changed, 12% of worries are about health issues, and only 8% of worries are legitimate concerns that can be addressed.

Worrying is a very destructive habit with detrimental effects on our mental and physical health. Excessive worry disrupts sleep patterns, triggers the release of stress hormones leading to high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, heart disease and mental health problems like depression.

But we often deceive ourselves into worrying unnecessarily. Researchers have termed this phenomenon of excessive worrying as “worry deceit,” pointing out how worry can mislead us into believing in imminent threats that are mostly imaginary. The term “deceit” aptly captures the essence of worry, as it deceives us by manipulating our attention towards perceived dangers that are often exaggerated or baseless. In reality, worry is usually a false alarm that distorts our perception and leads us down a path of unnecessary stress and fear. This concept of “worry deceit” sheds light on how anxieties can deceive us into believing in a reality that is far from the truth, ultimately impacting our mental and emotional well-being. Worrying won’t stop the bad stuff from happening, it just stops you from enjoying the good stuff.

“I have chosen to be happy because it is good for my health.” – attributed to Voltaire (1694-1778)