Why Anxiety Is Your Superpower

In The Science of Stuck: Breaking Through Inertia To Find Your Path Forward, author Britt Frank likens anxiety to an “check-engine indicator light in a car”:

“The light (anxiety) itself isn’t the problem - it’s a signal pointing you toward a problem. Trying to ‘get rid of’ anxiety is as counterproductive as trying to disable the check-engine light on your car.”

She offers these bottom-line takeaways (and I paraphrase):

• Anxiety serves as a check-engine light for your body.
• Your brain is wired to keep you safe and alive - not happy. 
• A panic attack is not an attack. Your brain is talking to you. 
• The inability to feel pain is a weakness - not a strength. 
• Anxiety might require medical-management (medication).
• Anxiety always comes from somewhere - even if you don’t know the somewhere. 
• Anxiety needs to be understood - not fixed.
• A survival response will often look like an anxiety disorder.
• You are not crazy. 

Frank offers these “Do’s” for anxiety:

• Tell yourself: “Just because I don’t know why I’m feeling  like this doesn’t mean there’s not a really good reason for these feelings to be there.”
• Remind yourself that your body is not attacking you. It is trying to help you.
• Ask yourself if there are areas of your life you hesitate to address because you fear the outcome. 
• Talk to your doctor about medications and make sure you understand the side effects and potential for dependency. 

 

I invite you to consider these questions:

• Which of these takeaways resonated most deeply with you?
• How willing are you to embrace a new mindset in regard to anxiety?
• How willing are you to seek help in managing your anxiety?

If you’re ready to curate a deeply fulfulfilling, inspired life yet know you could use some support and accountability,  email me to schedule a complimentary happy hour call:

terribradwaylifecoaching@coachbradway.com

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My new book Intentional Intoxication: How To Deliberately Distill The Different Life You Desire, is available on Amazon. You can imbibe on the entire book in one, short, intentionally happier hour:

Intentional Intoxication Book

 

If you’re interested to know about how I can support you in overcoming the habit of escaping or chasing, I invite you to reach out to me by using the email below and we find a time to chat:

terribradwaylifecoaching@coachbradway.com

 

For a quick shot of your life’s current level of intoxication, I invite you to complete the 10 Questions on my Intoxication Inventory:

Intoxication Inventory