Are you feeling pressured from all sides? Family? Work? There is even pressure to practice self-care! These incessant pressures can lead to feelings of anxiety. However, did you know that anxiety and excitement share remarkable physiological similarities? Making this connection can empower a mindset shift from anxiety into a powerful way of thinking, leading to enhanced performance and confidence.
The Research Behind the Mindsets of Anxiety and Excitement
Anxiety and excitement may seem like complete opposites. For example, anxiety is associated with feelings of distress and dread, while excitement is felt as joy and anticipation. Yet, both states trigger similar physiological responses: increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and heightened levels of adrenaline. Dr. Alison Ledgerwood, a psychologist at the University of California, Davis, explains, “Both emotions engage the same parts of the brain, which can lead to overlapping bodily sensations.”
Mindset Hack: From Anxiety to Excitement
Research by Dr. Barbara Fredrickson, a leading expert in positive psychology, states, “The way we interpret our emotional states can fundamentally change our experience and outcomes.” Our mindset literally determines how we experience these feelings. We can leverage anxious energy to boost our performance when we perceive our physiological arousal as excitement rather than anxiety.
Reframing anxiety as excitement can shift the fear of failure or embarrassment to the anticipation of success. This seemingly small shift in perception actually leads to improved performance!
The Impact of Excitement on Performance
- Increased Confidence: Embracing excitement can enhance self-efficacy, allowing individuals to approach challenges with a more positive mindset. As psychologist Dr. Amy C. Edmondson notes, “When we frame our experiences positively, we create a culture of learning and growth.”
- Enhanced Focus: Excitement can sharpen concentration. When we feel excited, our brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to motivation and focus. This can be particularly beneficial during important presentations or performances.
- Improved Resilience: Experiencing excitement helps build resilience. Instead of succumbing to fear, individuals who channel their excitement often bounce back more effectively from setbacks.
Practical Tips for Transforming Anxiety into Excitement
- Allow Your Thoughts to Work for You: When you begin to feel anxious, intentionally tell yourself that these feelings are signs of excitement. Visualize the positive outcomes associated with the situation at hand, even if you don’t quite believe it.
- Practice Deep Breathing: How you breathe has a huge impact on your physiology. When you practice deep breathing, you can invite a sense of feeling grounded amidst the excitement, which helps you stay in the part of your brain and perform well under pressure rather than from the fight/flight/freeze part of the brain.
- Embrace Visualization: Before a big event, visualize yourself performing successfully. Picture the excitement of the moment rather than focusing on potential failures. Again, it doesn’t matter if you don’t believe it; give it a go anyway!
- Use Affirmations: Positive affirmations can reinforce your ability to channel anxiety into excitement. Phrases like “This is exciting; I’m so ready for this challenge” can help shift your mindset. Use positive speech—for instance, “I am successful” is more effective than “I won’t fail.” As you think or say these phrases to yourself, it’s vital that you adopt a tone of voice that is encouraging and friendly—this can be tricky if/when the affirmations don’t match your self-judgements—practice by imagining you’re speaking to yourself as you would a dear friend. Finally, I recommend using the present tense, “I am excited,” rather than “I will be excited,” as the future is always just that: the future and the wanted impact is in the present moment.
Conclusion
Understanding the physiological similarities between anxiety and excitement offers a powerful tool for personal growth. Reframing our perceptions can transform anxiety into excitement, leading to enhanced performance and increased confidence. As you navigate life’s challenges, remember that the energy of excitement is always within reach—waiting to be harnessed for fantastic benefit.
It’s common to feel anxious when getting ready to deliver a presentation or take a test. But/And, when you embrace that flutter in your stomach as a signal of readiness, that same anxiety can be felt as excitement! With the right mindset, you can turn anxiety into a force that propels you forward, empowering you to achieve your goals with confidence and joy.
By fostering a compassionate and informative approach, I aim to inspire readers to embrace their emotions and leverage them for their highest good. Each emotion has its purpose, and with the right mindset, even anxiety can lead to excitement and success! If you’d like to delve deeper into these concepts I’d love to help; click here to reach me.
May each exciting moment serve you well.
