In The Science of Stuck: Breaking Through Inertia To Find Your Path Forward, author Britt Frank likens anxiety to an “check-engine indicator light in a car”:

“The light (anxiety) itself isn’t the problem - it’s a signal pointing you toward a problem. Trying to ‘get rid of’ anxiety is as counterproductive as trying to disable the check-engine light on your car.”

She offers these bottom-line takeaways (and I paraphrase):

Anxiety serves as a check-engine light for your body.
Your brain is wired to keep you safe and alive - not happy.
A panic attack is not an attack. Your brain is talking to you.
The inability to feel pain is a weakness - not a strength.
Anxiety might require medical-management (medication).
Anxiety always comes from somewhere - even if you don’t know the somewhere.
Anxiety needs to be understood - not fixed.
A survival response will often look like an anxiety disorder.
You are not crazy.

Frank offers these “Do’s” for anxiety:

Tell yourself: “Just because I don’t know why I’m feeling like this doesn’t mean there’s not a really good reason for these feelings to be there.”
Remind yourself that your body is not attacking you. It is trying to help you.
Ask yourself if there are areas of your life you hesitate to address because you fear the outcome.
Talk to your doctor about medications and make sure you understand the side effects and potential for dependency.

I invite you to consider these questions:

Which of these takeaways resonated most deeply with you?
How willing are you to embrace a new mindset in regard to anxiety?
How willing are you to seek help in managing your anxiety?

If you’re ready to curate a deeply fulfulfilling, inspired life yet know you could use some support and accountability, email me to schedule a complimentary happy hour call:

terribradwaylifecoaching@coachbradway.com

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Why Anxiety Is Your Superpower