The Washington PostThe Washington Post

Don't try to worry less. Worry smarter.

By Tracy Dennis-Tiwary

06 Jan 2023 · 4 min read

Editor's Note

Worrying might be uncomfortable but it is human nature, and trying to suppress it paradoxically increases anxiety. The Washington Post shares some tips for managing the sensation in a productive way.

When I think about worry, I think of the most anxiety-provoking time of my life. It was 2008, and I was pregnant with my first child. At my ultrasound checkup, my husband and I learned that our son would be born with a congenital heart condition. This condition is fatal if not corrected through open-heart surgery within months of birth.

For the remainder of my pregnancy, I was almost never completely free of worry: How can we get him the best care? How will this affect his life? Will he be okay?

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