People think that they are supposed to live anxiety free— not so. This is not an existential concept; anxiety is part of the human condition. We all experience it on an almost-daily basis in one form or another, and, in some ways, it can be helpful.
I think it’s important to realize that we grow most through meeting the challenges of difficult and painful experiences. Things that once intimidated us, when overcome, contribute to our growth and confidence.
Hey, don’t get me wrong, I’d love an anxiety-free existence, but where would we be without worry?
It does keep us safe in a number of ways: We avoid stepping off cliffs or (metaphorically speaking) sticking our hand in the lion’s mouth, because we know we can get hurt.
Anxiety also serves us in smaller ways by letting us know that something isn’t quite right, so we can make the appropriate adjustments. Those little niggling feelings in the back of your brain are a combination of anxiety and intuition trying to get your attention so you can make sure you are safe and heading in the right direction
The trick here is to learn to use your anxiety in positive ways. The first step in doing that is to see what the payoff of an anxious moment might be for you.
Perhaps it’s telling you that this assignment isn’t quite right for you, or that you really can’t afford that new flat-screen television. I think it’s wise to at least check out your feelings before you leap.
Another side of the coin is that excitement and anxiety feel exactly the same to our bodies. And it’s
quite common for people to feel both excited and scared at the same time. Thrill rides at amusement parks (and first dates) give you that feeling, and in these cases, it’s perfectly normal, and usually fun.
A number of folks do suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) or panic attacks, and that’s a
different story. Most of us don’t worry about normal, daily activities on a regular basis. If you do, and it’s gone on for six months or more, you really need to get a checkup, correct diagnosis, and treatment.
Anxiety can shake you to your core. Your confidence evaporates, your ability to communicate is hampered, and your thinking process is blinded by fear. Learning how to avoid it, control it, and deal with it appropriately is a skill set that will serve you for the rest of your life.
When anxiety strikes, it helps to remember that you have dealt with similar events before, and that you have the tools to get through this one as well. Sit down (or pull over), take a few deep breaths, and think through the situation. Chances are you will find that the answers you need are already inside your head, and once you calm yourself down a little, you will see them much more clearly.
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