How Anxiety is Helpful

Anxiety can bring a variety of positive things to our lives

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Anxiety can be helpful but most people think of anxiety, more specifically generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), in a negative sense. It is an emotion that makes us feel uncomfortable and tense, and it is a state we want to relieve as soon as possible.

Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder

GAD symptoms can include:

  • Inability to set aside or let go of a worry
  • Worrying about excessively worrying
  • Distress about making decisions for fear of making the wrong decision
  • Difficulty handling uncertainty or indecisiveness

Physical signs and symptoms may include:

  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Muscle tension or muscle aches
  • Trembling, feeling twitchy
  • Being easily startled
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Sweating
  • Nausea, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome
  • Headaches

How Anxiety is Helpful

Despite the list of negative symptoms, anxiety can offer a variety of positive things to our lives:

1. Motivation

Sometimes we need a dose of anxiety to motivate to do things. If you did not fear negative consequences that led to feeling some anxiety, it would be unlikely that you could be dedicated to the rules of your workplace, be able to complete schoolwork, or become motivated to do something that does not sound pleasurable.

The truth is that anxiety is a powerful motivating force, and it drives us to do things in a way that few others feelings does.

2. Preparation

If you have a big speech, test or event on the horizon, you may feel anxious as it approaches. This anxiety drives you to prepare for the situation, to cover all the bases and to consider what you would do in worst-case scenarios.

Certainly people can do all of these things without anxiety, but it is our body’s natural way of driving us to do it.

3. Attention

When we are anxious, our attention shifts to things that are important in our lives. It makes us recognize things that deserve our attention and then becomes instrumental in preparation and motivation. When you are anxious about an upcoming event, your anxiety forces you to recognize it and pay attention in a way that will ideally help you succeed.

4. Protection

Since anxiety is often related to fear, it is a way to protect us from danger. We can become anxious in situations that could cause us harm or even kill us, and this natural anxiety feeling prevents that. Unfortunately for people with GAD, this is the mechanism that often contributes to viewing many situations as dangerous which actually are not.

5. Communication

Finally, when people are anxious they are compelled to communicate and share these feelings. It is a way our body helps us find support and a safe place, and it can be effective in helping relationships work properly.


Mayo Clinic. Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

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