Worrying about the future means living in denial about the fundamentally uncertain nature of life. We’re biologically motivated to reduce uncertainty. Our “biological memory” teaches us that those who are making their lives a little less uncertain survive longer than those who aren’t.

The difference, between taking steps to reduce uncertainty and being so terrified by it, is huge. Thinking constantly about the future become an obsession as it makes chronic worriers believe they can make the future less uncertain. Just by thinking! Or planning.

They live under the illusion that planning always leads to greater levels of preparedness. But running through future scenarios doesn’t mean you’re any better equipped to handle them. Emotionally intelligent people understand that life is inherently uncertain. And they understand that it’s better to face up to this reality clear-eyed than to live in denial about it.

When you stop beating yourself down with all the stress and anxiety, you’ll be amazed how much energy and enthusiasm returns to your life, and it becomes far easier to accept the world you deal with, today.