Explore Good Anxiety as Justin James Kennedy, D.Prof, unpacks how reframing anxiety reveals hidden strengths and resilience.
Key points
- We can reframe anxiety as a protective force rather than an enemy.
- Anxiety is a natural emotion that evolved to keep us safe, urging us to act in uncertain situations.
- Neuroplasticity allows us to harness anxiety through practices like exercise and mindfulness.
When crippling anxiety attacks left me feeling trapped, exhausted, and unable to function, I searched for answers everywhere. Then I stumbled on neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki’s Good Anxiety (2021), which helped me reframe my struggle, as it showed me that anxiety wasn’t an enemy to escape, but a force I could harness.
Anxiety often carries a negative reputation. It is commonly associated with stress, worry, and a paralyzing sense of fear. Yet Suzuki’s book offers a refreshing perspective, challenging us to reconsider anxiety as more than just a burden. She argues that anxiety evolved to be protective, a natural human emotion designed to keep us safe, and when understood properly, it can be transformed into a source of strength.
Read More Here: You’ve Been Diagnosed With An Anxiety Disorder. Now What?
Anxiety as a Protective Force
At its core, anxiety is an emotion triggered by uncertainty. It can range from everyday concerns like whether a meeting will go well to overwhelming, clinical levels of distress that require professional care. Suzuki, however, emphasizes that all humans experience anxiety, and rather than attempting to eliminate it, the goal should be to harness it.
This protective nature is rooted in evolution. Early humans who felt anxiety when hearing a noise in the dark or sensing danger were more likely to survive. The emotion prompted them to act, either by fighting or fleeing. In modern life, we may not be running from predators, but our brains still rely on this system to detect threats, helping us to prepare and respond.
The Brain on Anxiety
Understanding how anxiety works in the brain is key to flipping the script. The amygdala is the structure most associated with fear and anxiety. It fires rapidly when danger is perceived, setting off a cascade of physical responses. At the same time, the prefrontal cortex, responsible for rational decision-making and executive functions, can shut down under intense stress. This explains why high anxiety often makes clear thinking difficult.
However, Suzuki underscores the importance of neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to change and adapt. By engaging in practices such as exercise, meditation, and deliberate thought reframing, we can strengthen neural pathways that lessen the grip of overwhelming anxiety and enhance resilience.
The Negativity Bias
One challenge of anxiety is the human tendency toward a “negativity bias.” Evolution wired the brain to focus on threats and risks more strongly than rewards or opportunities. While protective, this bias can fuel cycles of worry: “They must dislike me,” “I’ll never finish this project,” or “What if I fail?”
Suzuki explains that by recognizing this bias, individuals can begin to counterbalance it. Instead of being trapped by spiralling worries, one can deliberately redirect attention toward realistic actions and constructive problem-solving.
Transforming Anxiety Into Superpowers
What makes Good Anxiety so compelling is Suzuki’s reframing of the emotion as a potential superpower. Rather than an obstacle, anxiety can be a tool for growth and effectiveness. She identifies six “superpowers” that emerge from engaging with anxiety, three of which stand out powerfully
- The Superpower of Productivity. That endless “what if” list that keeps people awake at night is a map of priorities. Anxiety tends to highlight what matters most in relationships, projects, or personal goals. Instead of letting the “what ifs” overwhelm, Suzuki recommends turning them into a to-do list. Action transforms worry into momentum, converting anxiety into productivity.
- The Superpower of Flow. Anxiety and flow may seem incompatible. Flow is a state in which skills and challenges align perfectly, time seems to vanish, and performance feels effortless. Suzuki introduces the concept of “micro-flow,” everyday moments of immersion and satisfaction. Anxiety, paradoxically, can heighten the sweetness of these experiences. By enduring stress and subsequently entering a state of flow, the contrast enhances our appreciation, making small victories and moments of calm feel more profound.
- The Superpower of Empathy and Recognition. Suzuki’s personal story of shyness illuminates this gift. A lifelong anxiety about speaking in class ultimately gave her insight into others’ struggles, shaping her into a more empathetic teacher. Anxiety, she argues, provides a window into understanding others. By noticing when people display familiar signs of worry, individuals can extend compassion and support, turning private discomfort into communal strength.
Using Brain Plasticity to Reframe Anxiety
Central to Suzuki’s framework is the power of brain plasticity. New learning, physical activity, and mindfulness practices strengthen the brain’s ability to regulate anxiety. Exercise in particular boosts neurogenesis in the hippocampus, a region critical for memory and emotional regulation. These habits create positive feedback loops: The more the brain is trained to handle stress, the more resilient it becomes.
A Personal Lens: Grief, Love, and Wisdom
Although written from the standpoint of neuroscience, Good Anxiety is also deeply personal. Suzuki shares her experience of profound grief after losing her father and brother within months. This hardship reshaped her thinking about emotions. From grief, she discovered wisdom: Pain was an expression of deep love. This insight reframed her approach to anxiety, not just as a challenge to be minimized, but as an emotion with potential gifts hidden within.
Why Good Anxiety Matters
In an era marked by global crises, levels of anxiety are soaring. While clinical anxiety requires professional intervention, Suzuki’s tools offer hope for those grappling with everyday worry. The key lies in transforming anxiety from a destructive weight into a constructive force.
By learning to see anxiety as protective, understanding its neurological roots, and practicing reframing techniques, individuals can unlock resilience, productivity, creativity, and empathy.
Read More Here: Are You Suffering From Purpose Anxiety? 5 Signs To Watch For
Did you learn how anxiety works in the brain? Share your thoughts about this in the comments below!
References
Suzuki, W. (2021). Good Anxiety: Harnessing the Power of the Most Misunderstood Emotion. New York: Atria Books.
Written by: Justin James Kennedy, D.Prof
Originally appeared on: Psychology Today
Leave a Comment