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Is anxiety your superpower?

Viewing anxiety as a superpower may seem counterintuitive given its often negative connotations, but reframing it can offer a different perspective. Read more on how anxiety can help, not hurt.

For so many of us with anxiety, fighting against it, trying to control it, or just plain dreading it, may be our norm. And yet, research shows that anxiety can actually be a tremendous asset to all of us. Why? Because anxiety is our biological warning system, our body’s way of protecting us from real danger. And although some of us may suffer from alarm systems that are slightly overactive, here are a few ways to rethink your anxiety (and your child’s) as a superpower.

1. Heightened Awareness: Anxiety can make individuals hyper-aware of their surroundings, emotions, and potential threats. This heightened sensitivity can allow them to notice details and nuances that others might overlook, potentially leading to more informed decisions and actions.
2. Increased Empathy: People with anxiety often understand and empathize with others' struggles and emotions on a deeper level due to their own experiences with heightened emotions. This empathy can enable them to connect with and support others in meaningful ways.
3. Strong Work Ethic: Individuals with anxiety may push themselves to excel in their endeavors, striving for excellence and continually seeking improvement.
4. Creative Problem-Solving: Anxiety can lead to analyzing situations from multiple angles, fostering creative problem-solving skills and innovative solutions to challenges.
5. Powerful Intuition: Anxiety can sometimes be accompanied by a heightened sense of intuition or gut feeling about situations or people. Trusting these instincts can help individuals navigate uncertain or challenging circumstances more effectively.
6. Resilience: Dealing with anxiety requires perseverance and strength. Overcoming challenges can build resilience, equipping individuals with valuable coping skills for navigating life's ups and downs.

While anxiety can present plenty of challenges, learning to live with it - not fight against it - can lead to major improvements in our daily functioning. Try welcoming your anxious feelings and acknowledging them before moving on in your day. For your children, you can say something like, “We always get nervous before a big game. Remember that those nerves are helping you to pay attention and work hard today, and reminding you that it’s an exciting game.”