From Only Positive News writer Beth Mann:

I worry. More than I care to admit. Sometimes I don’t feel as if I have any control over it. But I do. (I mean, if I don’t, who does? The mailman?)

And it’s tough not to worry in today’s age. Our economy is hurting, our ecology is ailing and we’re disconnecting from one another, based on ever-growing need to be “connect” virtually.

I wanted to share with you a few techniques to stop worry in its tracks. Because I don’t know about you, but I’d rather live my life than worry about it!

1. Laugh. I can’t stress the importance of laughter as a worry-buster. A funny movie or a quick-witted friend can inspire those belly laughs that make you feel free and easy afterward. Can’t find anything funny? Fake it! Tests have proven that even fake laughter has therapeutic effects. Fake some laughter for 30 seconds and notice the difference.

2. Look skyward. Worry tends to make us think very small. We’re locked in a box. The simple solution: open it up by going outside. Look up into the sky and breathe. Take in the world around you and remember, you’re part of something greater. Go for a walk. When you return, check in with yourself. You’ll feel less stressed and more open-minded.

3. Write it out. This one is tough for people because we have trouble making time for it. But simply writing out your worries is a great tool that provides instant relief - so try to fit it in. This doesn’t have to be any masterpiece. On the contrary, purge. Let it all out on the paper in a big, unrecognizable blob. The idea is to simply put the inner chatter on paper, so you can close that notebook and leave the worries on the page.

Worry doesn’t just have to exist side-by-side with us. Don’t get use to it. No matter what the concern, the more you practice breaking free, the healthier and happier you’ll be.

We receive tons of great feedback about Only Positive News. Its amazing how few sites provide what we do: positive news. Positive news comes in many forms: actual news stories, poems, quotes, life advice, images. Positive news also comes from you, the people who leave generous comments supporting our work.

Here’s one of our recent commenters:

It became clear to Solah at an early age that her work is to inspire others. She lives a happy, fun and deeply fulfilling life by listening to what her heart is calling out for and then acting upon it. Those she encounters are often wondering how she seems to manifest such a majickal life. Her intention through this blog, is to share some of her guiding principles illustrated through her personal adventures.

Solah Nightstar B.Div is a Manifestation Mentor. She’s also a Certified Empowerment Coach and Passion Test Facilitator. She’s here to help you discover what your heart is most calling out for and then to support you in creating your ultimate reality.

Check out her website. Support the positive news we all possess!

I’m one of the writers for Only Positive News, and just a few hours ago, we experienced an earthquake. Relatively minor. 3.2 by the time it reached us. (The epicenter was in Virginia, I live at the Jersey shore.) Everything was fine here, but what a reality check! You generally expect the ground to stay put! But nothing is certain.

That may frighten us, but that uncertainty might be a reminder to let go, to stop trying control the “earthquakes” that happen every day, in one form or the answer. We don’t have control of everything. And instead of it frightening us, what if we embraced it?

How do we embrace our natural disasters, whether internal or external?

1. Get used to danger. When was the last time you did something a little physically risky? Or even mentally challenging? Or socially risky, such as public speaking? The more we stretch our ability to tolerate danger, the more we can handle the small stuff. Or the big stuff.

2. Ride the unpredictable like a wave. Just as every one of us may have an inner child, perhaps we each possess a rebellious, wild teenager waiting to leap and jump off a bridge. Instead of the fear and anxiety you normally feel, try to change your mindset and think of our daily ups and downs as a thrill, a ride, a natural high.

3. Remember nature as a metaphor. All natural occurrences have some sort of personal, relatable metaphor. What was the last earthquake you experienced? Lightning storm? Can you make yourself feel like a tornado on command? Try it. Take a deep breath and bring your energy upward, spiraling through your center. Feel your strength, your power, grow.

And always, always remember, we are interconnected - these natural disasters, the planets, the moon, the air, the water. Be grateful of this amazing connection we have to Mother Nature. She is, after all, BOSS.

Here are a few tips I came up with to make some positive news into you life, your home and your community:

1. Pick up Trash - It may seem small but every time you do it, you’re displaying a sense of concern and pride for your community. Others may notice and realize that people do care.

2. Sing a song - Singing is a natural way to shift your energy. Like dancing, you can only feel so down when you sing. Sing around others - don’t be shy. The more we’re able to openly express ourselves, the more it gives others permission to do the same.

3. Clean up your Mess - Cleaning a messy area in your house does wonders for your mind and soul. Purging old stuff, airing out a room, refreshing a space - all can do more than hours with a therapist!

4. Listen - We often have a tendency to overthink, our minds whirring away like a blender. When you talk to somebody today, genuinely listen to what he or she has to say. Give your mind a break. Validate others. Listening is a practice that opens us up and quiets the mind.

5. Share good news - even if it feels forced, tell someone about a positive event or thought you had today. By doing this, you set a trend - being positive, even about something small, creates a ripple effect. Positivity can be contagious.

Here’s my example today:

My friend Vince came over for coffee today. I forgot how nice it is to sit down and chat with someone in the morning about any old thing. It gave me a chance to reconnect with a friend and enjoy those smaller moments in life. Plus the coffee was delicious!

That’s my positive news! Nothing earth-shattering, right? But I wrote about it. I experienced it. You read it. Its that trajectory that can change the world, I do believe.