Topics on Potential: Anxiety and Your Brain

Anxiety. It can look different for everyone. Some people may fidget while others completely freeze or appear distant—anticipating something bad happening. One thing is for sure, anxiety can be really uncomfortable, and it can affect your life. When you feel anxious, your body responds. The fight, flight, or freeze response can be activated. Even if you intellectually know that you are safe in your office or classroom, it may not feel that way, and you instead may want to crawl out of your skin! In this way, your ability to process, retain, and recall information may be affected. Ever wonder how it’s possible to study up a storm and be completely prepared for an exam, but then your score doesn’t reflect your potential? I knew that one, how frustrating! Anxiety can be to blame.

Brain Tips: Remember to breathe. No, seriously. When you’re anxious, oftentimes you may be breathing a bit more shallowly than normal. Breathing deeply for a few minutes can help to lower your heart rate and bring you back to the present moment. Ask yourself what you need to feel safe: do you need a few minutes for a break? A peak at a picture of you and a loved one or a picture of your favorite place to be? Consider carrying with you a small token or jewelry piece that can bring you safely back to the present moment and redirect your thoughts from anticipating something negative in the future. It can be really beneficial to break overwhelming tasks down into more manageable chunks and only focus on that one piece that’s before you—focusing on what is in your control and trying to let go of all of the rest. Lastly, try not to avoid that class assignment or work project. Avoidance can increase anxiety. Ground yourself and try to begin!