Worried? Many people are. In today's society, people worry about the economy, their own financial situation, their health, their children, the state of world affairs, crime in their neighborhood ... even whether their favorite sports team will win or lose.

Whether your worries are big or small, within your control or nothing you can change, these three steps will help calm your fears.

1 - Deep breathing or meditation - Inhaling and exhaling deeply, so we truly feel our breath and feel our body expand as we breathe, has a calming effect. Best of all, it can be practiced anywhere -- in traffic, in line at the grocery store, at home or at work. If you can take five quiet minutes out of every day and meditate, and then learn how to call back that meditative state with just a thought, you'll find all your worries virtually slip away.

2 - Exercise - Exercise releases feel-good endorphins that cannot co-exist with the emotions of worry and fear. Aim for 20 minutes a day, at least three times a week (every day is best.) Choose an exercise you love so you'll stick with it. You might choose to exercise in the morning to begin your day in a positive way, or exercise in the evening, working out all the worries the day brought. Try to exercise at least an hour or two before bed so you won't get a second burst of energy that prevents a good night's sleep.

3. Make the decision NOT to worry - It sounds simple, and it is, but it works. Simply make the choice not to worry. As we begin to find peace and live our true life purpose, we realize that we control our emotions -- and worry is an emotion. Choose happiness, instead.