The word “worry” comes from an old Anglo-Saxon verb “wyrgan” meaning to choke or strangle. Like an invasive weed, worry can creep in and constrict the heart, clouding joy and clarity.

Modern science confirms what the soul already knows: chronic worry harms both mind and body. It raises blood pressure, heightens anxiety, and dulls confidence. Studies show worriers face a greater risk of heart disease. As Sir John Lubbock wisely noted, “A day of worry is more exhausting than a week of work.”

But here’s the invitation: Worry is not weakness. It’s often the sign of a caring heart trying to protect what matters. Some use it as “defensive pessimism”—imagining what might go wrong to plan ahead. Others treat it like a magic shield: worry about it now, and maybe it won’t happen.

Still, worry loses its grip when we soften around it. As Leo Buscaglia said, “Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.” Problems grow when fed with fear. Yet when met with perspective, presence, or even a deep breath, they shrink.

What helps? Sometimes just ten minutes of focused distraction can shift the mind. Replacing rumination with action—even a small task—can break the cycle. As Thomas Edison put it, “As a cure for worrying, work is better than whiskey.”

So pause. Breathe. Fix what you can. Then release the rest. Return to the steady rhythm of the present moment, where peace waits patiently beneath the noise.