During the week of my semester one final math exam, I was nervous throughout the whole week. As I tried to sleep at night, all my brain could think of was math; all the formulas began to fill up my head. Deciding what kind of questions would be on the exam, kept me tossing and turning. Finally arriving on the day of the final exam, I wasn’t feeling that nervous. But as soon as I walked into the anxious atmosphere of the classroom, I could feel the anxiety begin to form inside me. With my pounding heart and shaky hands, I began to pull out my pencil and notebook. Soon the bell rang, and my heart began to thunder. The math teacher began to give directions but all I could hear was the thunderous pounding. Now going through the questions, I know how to work out every question on the exam. My heart is now pounding in excitement and relief. My anxiety about this final kept me studying hard daily to aim for this moment. I got my score right away after submitting the exam online, a full score of 100%. As I learned how to adapt to my anxiety and use it to my advantage, there are ways that anxiety can be beneficial. To analyze the advantages of anxiety, we will first need to understand the central meaning of anxiety. Then, pinpoint how it can benefit our mindset. Following this, we will determine how it benefits us physically. Finally, take awareness of the limitation anxiety when it becomes overboard.

To analyze how anxiety can be profitable for us, we first need to understand the full concept of anxiety and how it affects us. Daniel Freeman, one of the UK's leading clinical psychologists and professor of Clinical Psychology, explains in his 2012 book Anxiety: A Very Short Introduction states that anxiety is one of the fundamental emotions of humans. It performs as the central part of what it means to have happiness, sadness, or anger. Anxiety is often related to fear, which connects to Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. Fear acts as the primary emotion that triggers the fight or flight response. Differing from fear, the adaptive function of anxiety alerts us of the potential threat. Allowing us to prepare and react to it appropriately. The term Anxiety, defined by the book, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM), states that “anxiety is the apprehensive anticipation of future danger or misfortune accompanied by a feeling of dysphoria or somatic symptoms of tension.” Anxiety is an emotion that affects the brain in many ways. Clarified by the Banyan Treatment Center in an article titled, “How Anxiety Affects the Brain,” shows anxiety will cause the brain to have a weaker connection between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex of the brain; causing people who suffer from anxiety to be more sensitive to danger. They are also most likely to have a hard time developing rational responses. Now that we define the meaning of anxiety, and know how it affects the brain, we can turn over and penpoint how it can be beneficial to our mindsets.

Anxiety can improve our mindset in a few ways. Social connection is essential for humans and anxiety may be a way to enhance our social connectedness. David H. Rosmarin PhD, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and the author of Thriving with Anxiety: 9 Tools to Make Your Anxiety Work for You, supported this claim in his 2023 article, “3 Ways Anxiety Can Actually Help You” in Times Magazine. Research has found that sharing our anxieties can help strengthen relationships and connections. When patients are open to sharing their emotions and anxieties, they often report having a greater sense of emotional intimacy. As a result, having a higher social connection can benefit your health.  Justified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the article “How Does Social Connectedness Affect Health,” last reviewed in 2023, it interprets those who are socially connected as able to manage stressful events and anxiety better. As stated by the CDC, “People with stronger social bonds have a 50% increased likelihood of survival than those who have fewer social connections.” Anxiety can improve our social connection which engages in better overall health. But anxiety can also benefit us physically.

Our physical skills, like our performance, can be influenced by anxiety. As Christina Caron mentioned in her article from the New York Times, “The Upside of Anxiety,” updated in 2023, reasoned that the right amount of anxiety can benefit our performance. An extreme amount of anxiety can be debilitating, but the right portion is meant to keep us safe. A certain amount of anxiety can help people stay alert and organized. In addition, motivation can be a key to starting a goal and accomplishing it. A 2017 study titled, “When Anxiety Boosts Motivation and Performance” published in the Journal of Individual Differences analyzes that some people perform better when they are under pressure. It interprets that those who view stressful situations as a challenge gain motivation from anxiety. This motivational energy will boost their performance. Those who are open about their emotions and accept anxieties will most likely devote their energy to their goals. The study also suggests that those who have a clear view of their feelings are more likely to flourish from anxiety and use it to achieve goals and find satisfaction. Many of the benefits of anxiety are only when anxiety is at a certain level, so setting up a clear boundary is most important.

When anxiety goes too far it can potentially be harmful. There are many health problems and disorders involving anxiety. As reported by the World Health Organization in the article “Mental Health of Adolescents,” published in 2021, it is estimated that 3.6% of 10–14-year-olds experience an anxiety disorder. While 4.6% of 15–19-year-olds experience an anxiety disorder. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in an article titled, “Anxiety Disorders,” described that people with anxiety disorder, the anxiety doesn’t disappear and will worsen over time. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one of the most common types of anxiety disorder. Patients with GAD will experience frequent anxiety that can last for months or even years. The Mayo Clinic mentioned, “Having an anxiety disorder does more than make you worry. It can also lead to, or worsen, other mental and physical conditions, such as depression.” Of course, there are signs that we should look at for anxiety disorders to treat and manage. As indicated by Medical News Today in the article, “What to know about anxiety,” anxiety disorder can present with different symptoms including having a hard time concentrating, difficulties in sleeping, and restlessness. Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health disorders, and they can trigger other mental health problems. So when anxiety goes too far, we should pay attention to the signs and ask for help.

Anxiety is a normal emotion that doesn’t feel great but with the right amount it is meant to keep us safe. Anxiety can benefit us through the form of our mindset. With people open to sharing their anxiety, they would achieve greater emotional intimacy and social connectedness. When people feel engaged, it can improve their overall well-being, whether in health or strengthen connections. Physical skills like our performance and motivation to accomplish goals can also be influenced by anxiety. When anxiety is at a balanced level, it can potentially be beneficial. But when anxiety reaches its limit, it is harmful. This is when we need to take the step to get help. Anxiety can be beneficial, impacting us in ways that may be helpful. My anxiety about the math final gave me motivation to study for math every day after school, therefore accomplishing the goal I was reaching for. Anxiety can be used as an advantage it may help you accomplish goals and achieve them.