Have you ever wondered why anxiety gets such a bad reputation? Is it because it is so often labeled as a negative emotion that disrupts our mental peace? But what if we looked at anxiety from a different perspective?
In a world where unwavering positivity and calm attitudes are emphasized so much, anxiety feels like an enemy – an unwelcome intruder. However, anxiety holds great potential for our personal growth and development. How, you ask? By signaling us to think deeply about our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, we can challenge the beliefs that fuel them, address our unmet needs, and thoroughly introspect ourselves.
In this blog, we will look at anxiety from a different perspective and answer why it is not an enemy but a catalyst for introspection and personal growth.
The Messenger
Instead of viewing anxiety as a purely negative emotion, why don’t we consider it as a messenger, delivering meaningful information? Like a stomach ache signaling to us that there is something wrong with our diet, anxiety arises when we face uncertainty and challenging situations.
Anxiety serves as a natural survival mechanism, alerting humans to prepare for potential dangers. When we try and listen to it, we can gain a deeper understanding of our mind’s workings.
In her book, Teen Anxiety: Drop the Rope, Author Dr. Kinnari Birla-Bharucha offers us the chance to break the stereotypes by acknowledging that anxiety is not our enemy but rather a messenger that beckons us to reclaim our power and rewrite our story.
Whenever anxiety strikes, think about what aspect of your life is causing the unease. And what beliefs and thoughts have triggered this response? Utilize this opportunity to engage in introspection. You can try to identify patterns that may have contributed to such emotional reactions. Basically, introspect because this process will pave the way for personal growth and self-awareness.
CBT and ACT
Have you heard about therapeutic processes that are designed to help you (individuals struggling with anxiety) by developing coping strategies or by acceptance? Let’s discuss them.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an approach that aims to change your negative thought patterns and behaviors therapeutically. By encouraging you to recognize and challenge the beliefs that may have contributed to anxiety, you can reframe your thoughts in a much more realistic and balanced manner with CBT.
Unlike CBT (focused on changing anxious thoughts), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on accepting them as part of the human experience. It will teach you to connect with your values, act accordingly, and be present in the moment.
ACT emphasizes that individuals acknowledge anxiety without judging themselves and learning to live in the present (despite the challenges of the past or foreseeable future) – ultimately reducing their struggle with anxiety.
In simple words, ACT allows you to have your own perspective and to understand that duality exists. Why does our world have to be “either-or?” Why can’t there be more? ACT teaches us to acknowledge, accept, and empathize with everyone’s own challenges. You can overcome them by practicing self-compassion and learning to live in the present.
If you are interested in learning more about anxiety, ACT, or CBT, Teen Anxiety: Drop the Rope by Author Dr. Kinnari Birla-Bharucha is the perfect book for you. This book explores in depth what anxiety truly is and how it affects teenagers. It will also equip you with all the necessary skills (ACT and CBT) to break free from its strangling hands.
Learn to take control of your anxiety with Teen Anxiety: Drop the Rope and find the much-needed mental peace for yourself.
