Often, the things we worry about the most don’t come true. We spend a lot of time in our heads preparing for something that will never happen.

And if the worst does come true, we’re often surprised to learn that we’re more capable of handling it than anticipated.

Unhelpful worry is usually based on the hidden belief that “I won’t be able to handle it.” It’s also focused on things outside our control, leading to more worry.

Helpful worry, on the other hand, is focused on the things within our control, leads to action and reasonable problem-solving, and accepts the things outside our control.