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As shown in a video from Atlantic Video, research (at Harvard Business School) suggests that one can turn one's anxiety into a more productive, less painful experience by saying to oneself, “I am excited.”
In the words of the article accompanying the video, "Trying to calm down during a bout of anxiety is likely futile. Instead, try saying: 'I am excited'. Because anxiety and excitement are both arousal emotions and have similar symptoms, it’s easier to get from one to the other than to completely shift gears into calmness."
In the short video (I am excited) link above, staff writer Olga Khazan explores this theory with Alison Wood Brooks, a professor at Harvard Business School who has researched this phenomenon, and they test it out for themselves at karaoke.
In my opinion, this reframing strategy does have a lot of value. I see it, however, as more likely helpful for moderate and mild anxiety situations.
I also believe that saying "I am excited" instead of things such as "I am anxious" is a more effective strategy for social anxiety related concerns compared to a more complex problem such as obsessive compulsive disorder.
For struggles with difficult children and teens, please check out my book, 10 Days to a Less Defiant Child
For relationship struggles due to 9 toxic thoughts, please see my book Why Can't You Read My Mind?
Dr. Jeffrey Bernstein is a psychologist with over 27 years of experience specializing in child, adolescent, couples, and family therapy. He holds a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the State University of New York at Albany and completed his post-doctoral internship at the University of Pennsylvania Counseling Center. He has appeared on the Today Show, Court TV as an expert adviser, CBS Eyewitness News Philadelphia, 10! Philadelphia—NBC, and public radio. Dr. Bernstein has authored four books, including the highly popular 10 Days to a Less Defiant Child (Perseus Books, 2015), 10 Days to a Less Distracted Child (Perseus, 2007), his very popular couples book, Why Can't You Read My Mind?, and Liking the Child You Love, (Perseus, 2009).
