Anxiety vs Excitement
Anxiety vs. Excitement: Two Sides of the Same Coin (And How to Flip It)
Let’s talk about anxiety. You know, that jittery, heart-racing, stomach-flipping sensation that hits you when you’re about to give a big presentation, meet someone new, or even just hit “Send” on an email to your boss. Fun, right? But here’s the thing: that exact same physical response—the sweaty palms, the quickened pulse, the butterflies doing cartwheels in your stomach—is also what happens when you’re… excited.
Wait, what? Anxiety and excitement feel the same? Yes, my friend. Let’s dive into the fascinating science of how these two emotional cousins are actually more alike than you might think—and how you can use this insight to hack your brain.
Anxiety and Excitement: Physiological Twins
First, let’s break it down. Anxiety and excitement both activate your sympathetic nervous system, which is your body’s built-in alarm system for when something important is happening. Think of it like your body getting ready for action:
• Heart racing? Check.
• Breathing quicker? Oh yeah.
• Tingling in your hands? Absolutely.
• Sweaty palms? Obviously.
Your brain, however, decides whether this whole production is “good” or “bad” based on context. Nervous about a job interview? You might label that sensation as anxiety. About to walk onstage for your rock band debut? Boom—excitement. Same sensations, different interpretations.
The Life Hack: Flip the Script
Here’s where it gets interesting: You can actually reframe your anxiety as excitement. Instead of telling yourself, “I’m so nervous,” try saying, “I’m excited!”
Why does this work?
1. It’s believable. If you’ve ever tried telling yourself “Calm down” during a panic spiral, you already know how that usually goes (spoiler: it doesn’t). But shifting from one high-energy state (anxiety) to another (excitement) is easier for your brain to accept because the sensations are so similar.
2. It redirects your focus. Anxiety is all about anticipating what could go wrong. Excitement, on the other hand, shifts your brain toward what could go right. When you tell yourself, “I’m excited,” you’re signaling to your brain that this moment is an opportunity, not a threat.
3. Science backs it up. A study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that people who reframed their anxiety as excitement performed better in high-stakes situations like public speaking or math tests. Why? Because they stayed engaged instead of trying to suppress their energy.
Practical Ways to Try This Hack
Here’s how to put this into practice the next time anxiety shows up uninvited:
1. Name it to tame it. When you feel that wave of anxiety coming on, acknowledge it: “This feels like anxiety, but it could also be excitement.”
2. Speak it into existence. Say it out loud (or at least in your head): “I’m excited!” Don’t worry if it feels cheesy at first—your brain’s listening.
3. Focus on the opportunity. Ask yourself, “What’s the best thing that could come out of this situation?” Shifting your attention to potential positive outcomes rewires your response to the moment.
4. Practice in low-stakes scenarios. Next time you feel your heart race (even if it’s just waiting for your Amazon package), practice saying, “I’m excited.” Train your brain to associate those sensations with possibility rather than doom.
Why This Matters
Anxiety is often treated as the villain of our emotional spectrum, but what if it’s just misunderstood? By reframing those anxious sensations as excitement, you’re not only changing how you feel in the moment, but you’re also rewiring how you approach challenges in the future. Over time, you can teach your brain to lean into opportunities with curiosity instead of fear.
Imagine transforming that nerve-wracking job interview into a chance to shine. Or turning a first date into an adventure instead of a minefield. Excitement doesn’t cancel out the stakes—it just helps you show up as your best, most engaged self.
Want to Know More?
This life hack is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding and managing anxiety. I’m psychiatrist Dr. David Robinson and if you’re curious about digging deeper—whether it’s learning other tricks to calm your mind, or simply figuring out why your brain loves to stress about everything—I’d love to help.
Let’s flip the script together and make anxiety work for you instead of against you.
David Robinson, MD is a psychiatrist in Boston specializing in ADHD, depression and anxiety.
