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Anxiety might seem like the ultimate villain in your life, but what if it actually had some hidden superpowers? This of course doesn’t apply to individuals with anxiety disorders, but rather the normal kind of nervousness that you sometimes get while facing different scenarios in life.
So, instead of viewing anxiety as just a hurdle, let’s explore the surprising benefits it can bring and how embracing it might actually work in your favour.
According to Very Well Mind, anxiety can be a type of “good stress” that helps prepare individuals to deal with situations and provides important clues about feelings. “Anxiety may be just the warning sign you need to bring awareness to your current situation and make 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.”
The above publication further mentions that anxiety triggers the release of dopamine, a brain chemical that encourages goal pursuit and that moderate anxiety can improve performance, while excessive anxiety can impair motivation and performance. “Research has also shown that people who have good working memory may actually perform better on cognitive tests when they are moderately anxious.”
The Cleveland Clinic mentions that anxiety is a built-in system that helps protect us from danger when our stress response is working at its best. It is said to encourage us to stay alert and hypervigilant, especially in dangerous situations like driving. “Anxiety alerts us to the troubles around us. And in small, well-timed doses, it can spur you to take action. When you have a deadline looming, you may feel some anxiety about getting your work completed on time. So, you buckle down, focus and get it done. If you have a test coming up and worry you’re not well prepared, a healthy kick of anxiety can make you more inclined to study.”
Research suggests that suffering from anxiety can make us more empathetic, making us more sensitive and accepting of others, states Amen Clinics. Anxious individuals are also said to be good leaders, as they are prepared for multiple scenarios and react quickly to threats. They are believed to be more comfortable with uncomfortable feelings and react quickly to danger.
Also see: Foods that are proven to ease anxiety
