I either use "logic" or humor. What kind of race is it, bicycle? Can you see the little thoughts in their tight spandex racing pants and pointy bike helmets? Where are they going? What will they win if they're first?

Confronting them rather than distracting/running from them works sometimes. Why isn't anyone else worried about what you're worried about; is the rest of the world "crazy" and you the only sane one who knows enough to worry or is the sky not really falling? If something is in the "future" (having enough money at the end of the month to pay the rent for example) then there's no point in worrying about it now, it hasn't happened yet and you can't tell the future, all you can do is keep working and doing the best you can. If you're trying to read someone else's mind ("They might not/probably don't like me") tell your mind to mind it's own business, you're trying predict someone else's response and that's not your mind's job.

Work at "fixing" whatever is truly wrong. If something is in the past, not much you can do about it; a mistake made yesterday can only be apologized for and "fixed." If you're afraid of something in the future; being alone or someone breaking into your house or hurting you then add locks or call a friend to call you or keep the lights on/stay up, whatever makes it easier for you in real time (but not ahead -- don't worry about tonight until tonight).