When we hear the word “anxiety,” we almost always associate it with something unfavorable. These “negative” thoughts brought about by anxiety can affect our relationships with other people and how we function at school or work. Most people would describe “anxiety” as a creepy creature who whispers incessantly in our ears all the things we don’t want to hear. For some, it is feeling uneasy when there is nothing to be uneasy about yet there is no way to shut down such uncomfortable feelings.
But is anxiety that bad? Is it the evil monster that we think it is? Like most things, anxiety lies in a spectrum. It can have a negative or positive influence on an individual’s behavior. But since it has always been associated with negativity, people tend to ignore or dismiss it instead of listening to it. It is rare or unheard of to think that anxiety can have a positive influence. Think of it as a knife – most people would instantly dismiss or have it put away before someone gets hurt instead of giving the utensil recognition for its usefulness in preparing a delicious dinner. Be it detrimental or beneficial, anxiety is trying to tell us something worth our full and due attention. For this reason, one should make a friend out of anxiety.
Anxiety acts as a wake-up call to deal with problems urgently. If it is trying to tell us anything, it is that something is not right and must be dealt with immediately. However, most people would either avoid tackling the issue or resort to aggression. These do not solve the real problem at all and may even cause more problems, like opening a can of worms. Instead, a person should listen to what his or her anxiety is trying to say. If it is trying to point a person to a specific issue, then it’s best to take heed and deal with the subject. If the anxious thoughts do not point to something specific, then it’s best to consult a professional who can give counseling.
Though impossible as it may seem, one can also harness anxiety as motivation. Anxiety can be crippling, but research suggests that there exists a “sweet spot” where anxiety is enough to keep a person motivated. As long as the person does some preparation and pushes him/herself instead of wallowing in doubt, it can help to get things done. Since it is a warning system, it gets people to act on whatever it is they are worried about. It may differ for everyone, but an individual is usually compelled to act when such person hits enough amounts of anxiety.
All these opportunities between problems and solutions eventually lead to a person’s increase in self-awareness and self-growth. By listening to anxiety, a person becomes more solution-oriented instead of avoiding problems. It also helps a person to become more caring since he or she understands how other people feel when faced with challenges.
