The other night I was watching an NHL playoff game.
The game was a nail-biter.
Double overtime.
To say I was barely hanging on to the edge of my seat would be an understatement.
But then it happened.
My hands felt cold. My body, slightly disassociated.
Years ago, these would be signals that a panic attack or an anxious period was imminent. My body was trained to continuously scan for negative signs, and then ultimately, betray me.
However, after years of CBT, I now know that it is so easy to confuse stress and excitement.
Crazy, right?
Even though anxiety and FUN should be polar opposites, they can collide together, creating an odd form of mutual causality. In fact, once you peel back the curtain, you see that the two aroused emotions create identical reactions within your body.
The next time you find yourself in a twisted ball of nerves and excitement, remind yourself that your body’s sensations might be a good thing!
Maybe you’re not frightened to get on the airplane; perhaps you are excited to get to the destination.
Since your body is not smart enough to differentiate between types of adrenaline dumps, let your brain do the work. When in doubt, be excited instead of anxious!
By the way, I was excited. My team won the game. 🙂
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