Are you caught in the worry trap?

Are you a constant worry wort? Whether it's feeling anxious about your career, social life, sex life or size of your behind, follow these tips and get a handle on your stress



Anxiety isn't just mentally painful. It's physically debilitating - if you're a constant worrier, you could cut up to seven and a half years from your life. Plus, being caught in the worry trap can have a negative impact on your working life, marriage and health. So how can you beat your worries?

Assess the problem

So first, assess the extent of your problem. Respond 'yes' or 'no' to these eight statements

1. I have a lot on my mind at the moment

2. Sometimes I lie awake worrying

3. I find it hard to concentrate because I'm anxious

4. I get edgy if things go wrong

5. I often spend all day fretting

6. People always say I worry too much

7. Sometimes I cry from anxiety

8. Worry gives me tension headaches, back pain or tummy problems



Analysis: The more questions you say yes too, the more caught you are in the worry trap; the ones at the bottom of the list have more serious implications than the ones at the top.



- One or two 'yes' responses particularly if you give them to the early numbers 1-4, mean that you're fine.

- Three to four 'yes' responses, spread out over the statements, mean that you do have a worry problem but are not in crisis.

- More than four 'yes' responses anywhere on the list and you are firmly caught in the worry trap.