Anxiety is a hard bird to kill and it is one of the most common yet the most ignored nemesis in our lives, which, if not treated on time, can get the better of us. A study conducted by Our World in Data in the year 2017 shows a shocking result. Nearly 284.36 million people worldwide suffer from an anxiety disorder. The saddest part being, most of the times, the disorder remains undiagnosed and untreated due to societal pressure or lack of acceptance of the same.

But, what is anxiety? According to Healthline, “Anxiety is your body’s natural response to stress. It’s a feeling of fear or apprehension about what’s to come.” But what if we said that anxiety is actually a good thing or if you understand why you are getting anxious and learn to harness it well, you can actually benefit from it! Let’s find out how.

1. Acknowledge your feelings

The first and the most important step to be able to harness the power of anxiety is to accept the fact that anxiety is real and what you are feeling isn’t abnormal. For small business owners, juggling multiple things at the same time can be difficult and there maybe times when work becomes overwhelming.  Deadlines and meetings can lead to stress which can unknowingly invite the guest most unwanted - anxiety. And considering mental problems are not as real as physical health problems are is a mistake many of us make including business owners. The most likely reason for this is our society. Since ages, we mental issues have been condemned as taboo and even though times are changing it is difficult for us to truly acknowledge these issues upfront with the fear of what will others think.

The first and the most important step to be able to harness the power of anxiety is to accept the fact that anxiety is real and what you are feeling isn’t abnormal.

2. Start labeling your feelings

Are you nervous about meeting a new client, worried that the meet-up wouldn’t go well? Label ‘nervous’ as ‘excitement’ and think of it as an opportunity to showcase your talent and earn a new client.

Are you terrified of going to work because you fear confrontation with your colleague about something that is bothering you for a while now and are most likely to sit behind the desk till the matter subsides? Treat the feeling of fear as getting a burden off your chest and solving a problem instead. By labeling you emotions, you can actually think about the positive aspect of it and let your mind be clutter free and relaxed.

But it is crucial that you understand the fact that your mental issues are as real as your physical ones and accepting it can make it a lot easier for you to take steps to reduce anxiety. You totally deserve to take care of your anxiety and take some time off to battle it out.

Also read: 7 easy health care hacks for busy entrepreneurs

3. Anxiety is a signal asking you to do something about it

Anxiety is an uncomfortable feeling and it is bound to make you uncomfortable, panicky and what not. But that is what it is. It is designed to wreak havoc with your mental sanity but the positive thing is, the command still lies in your hands. Don’t be let down and overcome by anxiety as it hits you. Instead think of it as a signal that is pushing you to complete a task or do something that needs to be done. Doing this can easily let you gain control over your emotions and soon  you will be able to harness its potential to get work done.

4. Befriend stress

Most of the times anxiety is a direct result of feeling stressed about something. But instead of considering stress as a negative feeling, turn the table around and extend the hand of friendship towards it. You will see how easily you are able to manage it. As mentioned in the above point, stress is nothing but a signal asking you take care of something you value in your life.

When hit with stress, ask yourself why you are getting stressed about a particular thing? Is the reason behind your stress important to you? What is at stake? Would you miss out on something if you don’t take care of it right away? As you begin to realise the answers to these questions start working towards the goal and watch as stress takes a backseat and for good!

5. Try activities that feel good

Having said a lot about how you can harness anxiety to yield a positive result in your life, this point focuses on how you can manage anxiety by doing things that give you joy.

It is seen that people who suffer from anxiety are often people who are go-getters and overachievers in life. They want everything perfectly done and would go that extra mile to please themselves and others. And anxiety can make them irritable and angry because they are not their normal self at that point of time.  It is then that you need to detach yourself from the world for a while and focus on things that you derive joy from. It could be listening to songs, cooking, gardening, taking a short vacation, painting, practicing yoga or anything that you love doing.

Above all, you should always remember to treat yourself with care. Be gentle on yourself, replace your inner voice with kinder words and your mind and body will reward you in return!!

Also read: Tips to maintain a work-life balance as a busy entrepreneur

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