Signs of productive worry:

• It addresses something likely or foreseeable
• The worry leads to action and planning
• The worry has an end
• It accepts a reasonable amount of uncertainty

Examples of productive worry:

• “What if I don’t have enough money to retire?” –> “Maybe I should meet with a financial planner and work up a realistic plan” –> Action: Call friends, search the Internet for recommendations of a financial planner, and book an appointment.
• “What if I get sick on my trip overseas?” –> Action: researches health advisories for the destination, takes reasonable precautions according to recommendations, and purchases travel insurance.

Signs of unproductive worry:

• It addresses something possible, but very unlikely
• It’s after 100% certainty and does not accept any level of uncertainty
• The worry is circular
• The question is unanswerable

Examples of unproductive worry:

• “What if I don’t have enough money to retire?” –> “I’ll have to work the rest of my life” –> “What if I have health issues, don’t have enough money, and can’t find work?” –> “What if all my family and friends are gone? I’ll be all alone.” –> Worry continues with all types of possibilities and worst-case scenarios.
• “What if I get sick on my trip overseas?” –> “I’ll contract a rare and deadly disease.” –> “What if there’s no effective treatment available there?” –> “What if I can’t communicate with local healthcare professionals?” –> “What if I’m stranded there and unable to return home?” –> “What if my illness is contagious, and I infect everyone around me?” –> “What if I never recover, and my life is ruined?”