A different way to think about anxiety
Anxiety – it's a word that often carries a lot of weight, conjuring up images of stress, worry, and a sense of impending doom. But what if we looked at anxiety through a different lens? What if, although it is uncomfortable, it is your mind/body’s way of getting your attention?
The Nervous System and Anxiety
To understand how anxiety works we need to start with the nervous system. The human body has a system that focuses only on keeping us safe and alive – this system is called the sympathetic nervous system. How does it work?
Imagine that you are swimming in the ocean. All of a sudden you notice a shadow under the water moving towards you. In that moment your sympathetic nervous system is activated – heart rate goes up, breathing gets more rapid, blood rushes to the arms and legs. If you had a moment to pause (which you probably won’t since there is imminent danger) you might notice intense discomfort in your chest and perhaps even your belly. You are probably going to swim as fast as you possibly can to get away from whatever is under the surface, even if it might turn out to be seaweed. There is no time to think – it’s all about action.
The tricky thing is that our human minds do not differentiate between physical threat and perceived emotional threat. Our bodies might respond in the same way when we are in a big crowd. The nervous system does not function on rational thought, it focuses on survival.
Anxiety as Energy for Action
What if we looked at anxiety as energy for action? Picture anxiety as a signal from your body, urging you to pay attention to something important. It's your body's way of saying, "Hey, something isn't quite right here – let's address it." By looking at anxiety as a call to action it now becomes a valuable source of energy to make a change or do something.
Anxiety is Ungrieved Grief
Another perspective on anxiety is to see it as ungrieved grief. Often, beneath the surface of our anxious thoughts lies unprocessed emotions – grief over past losses, unmet needs, or unresolved traumas. When I work with a client, and we begin to move into the physical experience of anxiety the client will often begin to tear up or even cry. Being able to access the grief beneath the anxiety e can release the emotional weight we've been carrying and help us move towards a place of greater peace and acceptance.
Instead of resisting or suppressing anxious energy, let's be curious about what it might be telling us. There is a wealth of wisdom that lies in the interconnection between body and mind.
Anxiety doesn't have to be our enemy. By reframing it as our body's way of getting our attention, we can transform it from a source of distress into a catalyst for growth and healing. So the next time you feel that familiar knot of anxiety in your stomach, remember – it's not a sign of weakness, but rather a call to action. Embrace it, explore it, and allow it to guide you towards a life of greater clarity, purpose, and fulfillment.
What are your thoughts on this perspective? How do you approach anxiety in your own life?
NOTE:
If you are ready to transform anxiety into energy for action and live in Tennessee or North Carolina click on https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/164561 and schedule your appointment today.