Somewhere in my life, I picked up the habit of worrying. I worry most about money, but I can worry about anything, really. I don't believe I was born a worrier, so I must have learned to worry from past experiences and watching others worry — probably my parents. But when I thought about it, this is actually good news. If you, like me, have struggled with learned worry, we can also unlearn this debilitating habit.

Worry is useless. It doesn't do anything. Worry cannot control the future or change the past. It can't pay a bill, solve a problem or cure an illness, but it can throw you into emotional paralysis.

Worry weighs heavily on our hearts.

Worry toys with our imaginations. It exaggerates the size and scope of a problem. It is a magnifying glass with a power of 100.

I can't say that I've completely won the battle against worry, but I have turned a corner to where it no longer controls me. If worry is wreaking havoc on your life, consider the four practical steps I took to send worry packing. You may think they sound silly, but just go with me. They really do work.

No. 1: Designate one 15-minute period of Special Worry Time each day during which you will do nothing but worry. As worries come up during the day, jot them down, but do not worry about them. You'll worry about them only during those 15 minutes.

No. 2: Take control of your mind. You have the ability to decide which thoughts you will dwell on. When nebulous, negative thoughts that you already added to your list of worries creep up again, send them away. Find an activity to do with your hands to redirect your thoughts.

No. 3: Set an alarm for Special Worry Time. When the alarm goes off, drop everything you are doing. Find a quiet place, where you can concentrate all of your thoughts and mental energy on your list of worries. As you focus on each worry and you possible outcomes of the worry, write them down. Then, worry about those possible outcomes as well. Pour your heart into it. Worry nonstop for the full 15 minutes. Do not let any thoughts of peace, joy or happiness come to mind. When the 15 minutes are up, stop! There's no more worrying allowed until this time tomorrow.

(Honestly, I doubt there will be another Special Worry session because you will quickly learn how exhausting and totally unproductive it is to worry.)

No. 4: Find a more productive alternative to worrying. Exercise is a great way to ward off worry. Call or message a friend or relative; if they are dealing with bigger worries or problems than you, you may get some perspective. If you are religious, talk to God; tell him what's worrying you, for unlike you, he can do something about it.

Mary invites questions, comments and tips at [email protected], or c/o Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Suite B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com, a personal finance member website and the author of "Debt-Proof Living," released in 2014. To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.