When dealing with anxiety, it is nearly impossible to see some of the benefits that anxiety may have on our life. We get so bogged down in the emotional side of anxiety that we often lose the ability to even be slightly pessimistic. But there are a few things that are good about anxiety”
It may make you more sensitive to people in general. There is a tendency, when anxious, to see people and wonder what their world is like in that moment. Some of it is because we want others to know we are in pain and be able to empathize with us. But it does make us more aware of what others are going through.- Anxiety may allow you to help others who deal with anxiety. Having anxiety makes you more a great resource to others who have anxiety. Just knowing that someone else is going through something similar to what you are going through can mean a lot to that person.
- Helps you slow down. We live in such a fast-paced world that being able to take time to slow down isn’t something we feel we can do on our own. Anxiety makes us do that. It gives our body the needed time to rest and pace ourselves.
- It may make you more open about your feelings. Many of have been trained to hide our feelings, emotions, and any trials or weaknesses we may be struggling with. Yet, when we are in the middle of an anxiety episode, we tend to be more open about what is going on in our world. Sharing those thoughts and emotions can be very good for not only our emotional health but our physical health as well.
Even though anxiety in and of itself is difficult to deal with, what it brings may actually help us in the long run of life. If you are dealing with anxiety now or next time you have an anxious episode, take time to jot down things that are positive about the anxiety.