Feeling Anxious? Tell Yourself You’re Excited

Everyone feels anxious at some point or another—whether before a first date, a big race, an important work presentation, or any number of stressful situations. Although feelings of anxiety often come with a negative connotation, they also have a lot in common with another emotion: excitement.

How Anxious Feelings and Excitement Are Similar

“Anxiety and excitement both involve physiological changes in the body,” says Supatra Tovar, Psy.D., a licensed clinical psychologist based in Pasadena, California. “Both feelings tend to activate our sympathetic nervous system—our fight-or-flight nervous system.” This may come with symptoms such as:

• Increased heart rate
• Clammy hands
• Flushed cheeks
• Stomach butterflies
• Dilated pupils
• Heightened senses
• Tense, twitchy muscles
• Adrenaline rush

The difference between anxiety and excitement may be in the eye of the beholder. “Anxiety is usually associated with a negative perception of the future, and excitement is connected to a positive view of the future,” Tovar says.