Stress and worry are a common theme in most people's lives. Whether it's stress over finances, health, or relationships, it seems that most people spend a great deal of their lives stressed out. It's only natural, and these are often feelings that come on involuntarily. However, it's important to recognize that there is no point to worrying. Stress and worry can have some detrimental effects on your health, and they lead to a lower quality of life. Despite the fact that we can't always control how we feel, understanding why it's pointless to worry may help with finding strategies for relieving the stress we feel every day.

We Worry Over Stuff That Never Happens

If you thought back to some of the things you were most stressed about, you may realize that many of these things never actually happened. Maybe you were worried that you were completely going to blow it with your presentation at work. Perhaps you were concerned that with all of the unexpected traffic, you weren't going to make it to your appointment time. Sometimes, we have completely irrational fears that never even happen. Some estimates say that up to 90 percent of what we worry about never comes to pass. Could you imagine what would happen if we were able to get rid of 90 percent of our worry? It would probably change our lives.

It Changes Nothing

Of course, there are things that happen in life that we were afraid would happen. Perhaps you lost your job and can't pay for your utility bill. You have to find a way to make extra money quick before your electricity gets turned off. Yes, these things happen, and they are a part of life. However, you have to realize that even the things that do happen in life are not affected by us worrying about them. What can you change by worrying? Nothing. Stressing and worrying does not solve your problems or make them go away.

It's Not Natural

Many people think it's only natural to worry about things. When you think about it though, it may not be as natural as it seems. Animals don't seem to worry about where their next meal is coming from. Children are often carefree and usually don't worry about the events of the next day. Even though stress may seem to come on automatically, you can train your mind to avoid it. It may take some practice and there may be times when it feels out of your control, but realizing that it isn't a completely natural and unavoidable thing can help you take the steps to eliminate your stress.

It's Unhealthy

Of course, on top of it being completely unproductive and unnecessary, worrying can actually be quite detrimental to your health. High blood pressure and disease are more common in people with stressful lives. Worrying can weaken the immune system, making it hard for your body to fight off colds and flus that might come your way.

When you know why worrying and stress are unnecessary and oftentimes harmful, you probably want to take steps to avoid them. Here are a few quick tips:

When stressing, try to take your mind off things. Rent a funny movie or go out with some friends. Plan ahead. Have a plan and routine so you feel like you have some control over your life. Try breathing exercises. Taking a few deep breaths can help you when you are on the verge of a panic attack.

Stress is a part of life, but it shouldn't be something that controls you. If you are a constant worrier, do what you can to change before it starts severely impacting your health.