More than 25 million Americans have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety is the mind and body’s reaction to stressful, dangerous, or unfamiliar situations. It’s the sense of uneasiness, distress, or dread you feel before a significant event. A certain level of anxiety helps us stay alert and aware, but for those suffering from an anxiety disorder. Most people think anxiety’ is a feeling of nervousness, unease or restlessness. It is, but it can also become overwhelming. People who have an anxiety disorder often experience intrusive, persistent thoughts that interfere with their functioning.
It’s completely normal—and healthy—to feel nervous and anxious before a big speech, public performance, or first date. Scientists have learned that some degree of stress or anxiety isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Anxiety helps us to stay protected respond to stressful situation:
Anxiety may be just the warning sign you need to bring awareness to your current situation. It makes some necessary changes in your life. Recurrent worry and nervousness can be an indication that some areas of your life are off track and need adjusting. It helps us to respond as quickly as possible. This response is known as ‘fight-flights’ response.
Anxiety helps us to stay motivated
Anxiety may actually help you feel more motivated and prepared when faced with challenges. Research has shown that students and athletes who experienced some anxiety actually displayed improved performance while participating in competitive sports. For instance, perhaps your anxiety assists you in putting extra effort into work, personal tasks or moving towards your goals.
Anxiety helps us to experience ‘Eustress’:
Eustress is a positive form of stress. It is a focused energy which feels exciting and will help you perform the task at hand. There is, of course, a difference between eustress and distress as distress feels unpleasant, it is a negative vibration (your inner being telling you to slow down). But anxiety can help us to experience this healthy stress which help us or motivate us to do a work.
Positive Character Trait in Friendship
People who have dealt with anxiety may be more empathetic and understanding to the issues that others face. Having gone through personal struggles yourself, you may be more sensitive, loving, and accepting when friends and family members are dealing with personal challenges. It’s been shown that people with anxiety are more concerned about how they interact with others.
Anxiety helps us in Leadership
People with anxiety may also be skilled in leadership roles, as they take careful consideration of the possibility of multiple outcomes. For instance, many individuals with anxiety describe it as are highly aware of what can potentially go wrong, making them more cautious thinkers, careful decision-makers, and great problem-solvers.
Anxiety helps us to stay ahead of time:
Healthy level of anxiety helps us to stay ahead of time and help us to get done with our priority list. It can help us stay punctual towards our daily goals. Healthy level of anxiety is important in our day-to-day to achieve our daily small goals. For example: When we have an assignment to submit, anxiety helps us to submit the assignment on time, to do the assignment on time.
Even though there can be some potential benefits to experiencing anxiety. It is worthwhile to point these out to yourself. It can also become a real hindrance to many aspects of your life. Your career, relationships, and personal aspirations may be negatively affected by your struggle with anxiety.
If anxiety is preventing you from living the life you desire, then it may be time to get professional help. A psychologist will be able to assist in creating a treatment plan that can help you better cope with your anxiety.
