The Benefits Of Anxiety
Added: (Wed Jan 04 2023)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
Anxiety, while distressing, serves several important functions and can manifest in a variety of ways, including racing thoughts, heart palpitations, fatigue, and physical symptoms such as headaches and gastrointestinal issues. It is important to address excessive worry or anxiety as it can significantly affect one's life.
1. It alerts your attention to potential risks or negative outcomes
Anxiety is often characterized by an anticipatory response to a potential negative event, such as a work presentation. This can lead to worrying about potential negative outcomes, and efforts to prevent them or be prepared to deal with them. For example, if you are anxious about a presentation, you may worry about technical difficulties or forgetting what you have to say, and work to ensure these issues don't arise or have a plan in place to handle them if they do.
2. It keeps you motivated
Anxiety about an outcome can motivate you to put in extra effort to prevent negative results. This may involve working harder and more consistently, such as a student studying a little bit every weekend for an exam instead of just a few days before. This can help reduce anxiety and increase the chances of a positive outcome.
3. It makes you more compassionate
Being familiar with the distress of anxiety may make you more attuned to detecting it in others, leading to increased empathy and kindness towards them. This can be beneficial in relationships, as people often feel more connected to those who understand their experiences.
4. It brings about positive change
Anxiety can motivate positive change by causing you to examine and address aspects of your life that may not be working well. For example, feeling anxious about the potential end of a relationship may lead you to consider what changes you could make to improve the relationship and ultimately enhance its quality.
When Does Anxiety Become a Problem?
While a certain level of anxiety can be beneficial, excessive anxiety can interfere with daily functioning, enjoyment of activities, and productivity. If you regularly experience symptoms such as those listed, it may be time to address your anxiety.
Fatigue
Sleeplessness
Anxiety attacks
Poor memory
Poor concentration
Health concerns like headaches and stomach upsets