Oasis logo
Credit: DH Illustration
‘It is normal that people experience anxiety. It’s our body and brain’s way of keeping us alert, and it can improve performance,’ says Hayley Vaughan-Smith, a licensed therapeutic counsellor. It has in-depth meaning. How often do we get anxious and repent for being so?
Anxiety is a part of life, and we should embrace this emotion as we sail through tough waters. This emotion increases personal growth and can even be a powerful motivator in life to work where we are uncomfortable. Many scientists have cited that experiencing an optimal level of anxiety is not all that bad and can increase alertness. Eustress, or, to put it in other words, good stress, can help us to change our outlook towards life.
Let us take some instances from mythology where optimal stress has been beneficial.
The great warrior Arjuna fell into the shackles of anxiety in the great battle against the Kauravas. Had he not embraced this feeling of anxiety, he would have never sought Lord Krishna’s help for solace. Ultimately, it is this feeling of anxiety that served him as a catalyst for spiritual growth. The Bhagavad Gita would have never been in existence had he not experienced anxiety.
Let us take the example of Sage Narada. Sage Narada is known for his restless and anxious nature for the well-being of the universe. His main aim was to maintain dharma. He could perform his duties diligently because his anxious nature motivated him to establish righteousness in the universe.
Also, Lord Hanuman, in his mission to find Devi Seetha, Lord Rama’s consort, had to face several obstacles and anxieties in his journey. His anxiety to please Lord Rama made him move out of his comfort zone and achieve his mission.
Let us have a look at how anxiety helped great scientists to achieve
their goals.
Albert Einstein’s famous theory of relativity sprung from his deep anxiety and wonder about the nature of time and space. Isaac Newton’s deep anxiety to explore the laws of nature made him uncover a lot of hidden truths about the world around us. Charles Darwin was worried about how his theory of evolution would be received by religious and scientific communities. This anxiety made him to carefully refine his theories.
All said and done, anxiety can prove as a powerful motivator and a game changer in life as long as it does not cross the optimal levels.