First of all, what is anxiety?
Anxiety is a negative mood state characterised by physical tension and apprehension. This can manifest in a subjective sense of unease, a certain set of behaviours (such as looking worried or excessive fidgeting), or a physiological response reflected in an elevated heart rate or muscle tension.
Anxiety is not at all pleasant, so why do humans seem programmed to experience it whenever we do something important? Surprisingly, anxiety is actually good for us—at least in small amounts, anyway. Psychologists have known for over a century that we perform better when a little anxious. Social, physical, and intellectual performances can all be enhanced by anxiety. Let’s face it: Without some sort of looming pressure, few of us would get much done.
But what happens when you’re too anxious? You may fail an exam or blow an interview because you’re unable to focus on the questions. You might spend a first date with a sick feeling in your stomach, sweating profusely, unable to think of a single interesting thing to say. There are few sensations more harmful than severe anxiety that is out of control.
As humans, we may be designed to be on high alert for danger with innate fight or flight responses, but as information is coming at us from all directions at high speed, anxiety rises sharply and starts to impair us. Here are four hard truths about anxiety that nobody talks about—when they really should.