Health N Tech Transformation
strategy institute
Joaquim Cardoso MSc
Chief Researcher, Editor and Senior Advisor
May 26, 2023
Adapted from “Why we should not be so anxious about anxiety”, published on the Financial Times.
The concept of anxiety and challenges the prevailing narrative that portrays it solely as a negative emotion.
The analysis highlights the need to reconsider anxiety by acknowledging its potential benefits and reevaluating how we perceive and manage it. While excessive anxiety can be debilitating and require clinical intervention, moderate levels of anxiety can be constructive and contribute to personal growth, performance, and overall well-being.
Anxiety statistics indicate an alarming increase in reported anxiety levels in recent years, particularly in relation to social media use, climate change, artificial intelligence, and pandemics.
However, the prevailing mindset of anxiety as inherently negative may be exacerbating the issue. Research suggests that labeling anxiety as positive or negative significantly influences our well-being, indicating that the concept of “meta-anxiety” — anxiety about anxiety — is detrimental and contributes to the current mental health crisis.
Experts argue that instead of trying to avoid anxiety, individuals should confront it to develop skills and emotional resilience necessary for effective management.
By reframing anxiety as a normal human emotion, individuals can harness its positive aspects, such as vigilance, focus, motivation, and increased energy levels, which can facilitate optimal performance and achievement.
To tap into the potential benefits of anxiety, individuals can employ physiological techniques such as (1) breathing exercises that stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting a sense of safety, or (2) engage in physical activity to release endorphins and serotonin.
Additionally, the technique of “anxiety reappraisal” suggests that reframing anxiety as excitement through simple language adjustments can prove surprisingly effective in managing the emotional response.
While these approaches may be effective for moderate levels of anxiety, it is crucial to acknowledge that severe anxiety may require additional interventions to ensure daily functioning.
Nevertheless, viewing anxiety as a normal and potentially constructive emotion essential for our survival as a species can help individuals develop a healthier perspective and relationship with anxiety.
By reconsidering anxiety as a multifaceted emotion and recognizing its potential benefits, individuals can embrace anxiety as a catalyst for personal growth and success.
By reframing anxiety and employing appropriate management techniques, individuals can develop emotional resilience, enhance performance, and ultimately lead happier and more fulfilling lives.
