I read something in a book on handling anxiety that is helping me some. It said that when you're anxious about something, you can engage in the following steps:

1) Ask yourself: Is it really MY problem? That might sound a bit strange, but, alas, I sometimes worry/stress out/ get anxious over something that really isn't anything that's my problem. For example, I'm already feeling anxious about my older son's future. He'll be a junior in college this coming year. So, I get into thinking about how he won't get into the Air Force leadership program that he wants to get into, or he won't get into grad school, or if he gets into grad school, then he won't be able to pay for it, etc. The guy is 20 already--technically legally grown. Of course, as a mom, I'm concerned, but good grief, I'm getting way out of line here. Worst case scenario? He moves back home......He is really helpful around the house!

I'm even anxious about a friend of mine whose husband lost his job. Yes, as a good friend, I am concerned, but I don't need to make myself miserable over THEIR problem.

2) If you decide it is your problem, then ask yourself: Is this problem something you can work on right now?

3) If it can be worked on right now, then start doing so. I was upset about a health problem, and I kept putting off dealing with it. I FINALLY made a doctor's appointment and went in. I found myself feeling some relief even after making the appointment. And, of course, MAJOR relief when the doctor told me it wasn't a big issue.

If it's something that can't be addressed right now, then consciously put the issue on the back burner. If it crops up in your thinking, then distract yourself in some way. Or even put a rubber band around your wrist and flick it as a way of making thinking about it undesirable!

I hope this approach will be helpful to somebody else, too!