Dealing with Anxiety by Reframing

Reframing anxiety into terms like nerves, arousal, or excitement can significantly alter an individual's experience of stress. Recognizing that physiological responses to anxiety can be interpreted differently, as demonstrated by elite athletes who refer to their feelings as 'nervy' rather than 'anxious', fosters a healthier mindset. It’s crucial to understand that anxiety encompasses both mental (worry, rumination) and physical (stress) components, making it ineffective to simply think one's way out of it. Engaging in physical activities or performances—like delivering a speech or lifting weights—can help process and alleviate anxiety. Normalizing this experience by acknowledging that even top performers feel similar anxiety is vital; it reduces the stigma and allows for a gentler self-reflection during moments of anxiety. Beginners in reframing should be patient with themselves as they practice this skill over time, understanding it is a learned behavior. Ultimately, shifting the narrative from anxiety to viewing sensations as energy being marshaled for performance can yield a better outcome.