No one likes feeling anxious, but it’s a common emotion that more than eight million people in the UK alone experience.
At its most extreme, it can be debilitating and affect your entire life. For most people, however, it’s slightly more manageable. And, if you know how to use it wisely, it can actually be used to your advantage in the following ways.
1. It can motivate you to get things done.
That twinge of anxiety about an upcoming deadline can give you the push you need to start working. It’s often the catalyst that moves us from procrastination to action. At its most productive, anxiety can actually help you tackle tasks you’ve been putting off, leading to a sense of accomplishment once they’re completed.
2. It keeps us alert and aware of our surroundings.
A touch of anxiety can heighten our senses and make us more observant, and that increased awareness can be particularly useful in new or potentially dangerous situations. It’s like having an internal alarm system that helps us stay safe and react quickly when needed.
3. It can improve our performance in high-pressure situations.
A bit of nervous energy before a big presentation or important event can actually make us perform better, as it turns out. It’s the good kind of stress that can sharpen our focus and boost our energy levels. Many performers and athletes harness this anxiety to give their best when it really counts, for instance!
4. It helps us prepare for important events.
Anxiety often pushes us to plan and prepare more thoroughly. Whether it’s for a job interview or a first date, that nervous feeling can drive us to think through scenarios and ready ourselves for various outcomes. Of course, when you’re prepared, it can lead to better results and increased confidence.
5. It can strengthen our problem-solving skills.
Anxiety often involves foreseeing potential issues before they crop up. While it’s obviously not helpful to worry excessively, a moderate level can lead to creative problem-solving. It encourages us to think ahead and come up with solutions to obstacles, making us more resourceful in the long run.
6. It can make us more empathetic towards other people.
Having experienced anxiety ourselves can make us more understanding when other people are going through similar feelings. As a result, we become more supportive and understanding friends, family members, and colleagues. Plus, it enhances our EQ, as well as our ability to walk a mile in other people’s shoes.
7. It can be a sign that we care deeply about something.
Feeling anxious about a situation or outcome usually means that it’s important to us. In that way, our anxiety can be a reflection of our values and priorities. Recognising this can help us better understand ourselves and what matters most in our lives.
8. It can lead to better decision-making in some situations.
Anxiety can make us more cautious and considerate when making decisions. While it shouldn’t paralyse us, a bit of anxiety can keep us from making rash choices. It encourages us to weigh options carefully, which can potentially lead to better outcomes in important decisions.
9. It can boost our physical performance in short bursts.
The physiological response to anxiety — increased heart rate, faster breathing — can give us a temporary physical boost. This “fight or flight” response can be helpful in situations when we either need to act quickly or physically exert ourselves. It’s our body’s way of preparing us to face challenges.
10. It can encourage us to take better care of our health.
Health-related anxiety, when not excessive, can motivate us to adopt healthier habits. It might push us to eat better, exercise more, or schedule those check-ups we’ve been putting off. Taking a more proactive approach to health can lead to better overall well-being in the long term.
11. It can make us more conscientious in our work and relationships.
A touch of anxiety can make us pay more attention to details and be more considerate of other people’s feelings. In turn, more conscientiousness can lead to higher quality work and more thoughtful interactions with those around us. It’s about striking a balance between care and overthinking.
12. It can help us recognise and address potential threats.
Anxiety is part of our evolutionary survival mechanism. It helps us identify and respond to potential dangers in our environment. While not all perceived threats are real, this heightened awareness can be crucial in genuinely risky situations.
13. It can lead to personal growth and self-improvement.
Source: Unsplash Facing and working through our anxieties can be a powerful catalyst for personal development. It often pushes us out of our comfort zones, leading to new experiences and skills. Overcoming anxiety-inducing situations can boost our confidence and resilience.
14. It can enhance our creativity in problem-solving.
Anxiety often involves imagining various scenarios and outcomes. While this can be distressing, it can also spark creative thinking. The ability to envision different possibilities can be channelled into creative problem-solving in various aspects of life.
15. It can strengthen our appreciation for calm moments.
Source: Unsplash Experiencing anxiety can make us more grateful for periods of calm and contentment. It can enhance our ability to savour peaceful moments and simple pleasures. This contrast can lead to a deeper appreciation of life’s ups and downs, creating a more balanced perspective. See? It’s not all bad!
