Anxiety isn’t always the enemy. In this empowering clip, Renee Jain, MAPP, founder of GoZen and author of Superpowered, explains how we can help kids—and ourselves—transform anxiety into courage, confidence, and resiliencerather than trying to eliminate it.
Rethinking Anxiety
Many of us are taught that anxiety is bad and should be eradicated. We’ve been told that chronic stress leads to heart disease, obesity, and countless other problems. But according to Renee Jain, this black-and-white view of anxiety is overly simplistic. Anxiety itself isn’t inherently harmful; it’s how we respond to itthat matters.
Transform Anxiety into a Superpower
Instead of telling kids (or ourselves) to “calm down,” Renee encourages a shift in perspective:
- Recognize that physical signs of anxiety—sweaty hands, butterflies in the stomach, fast heartbeat—are similar to excitement.
- Reframe these feelings as your body gearing up to perform at its best.
- Use that energy to focus, think creatively, and approach challenges with confidence.
For example, before a speech, test, or performance, acknowledge the nervous energyand redirect it as motivation. Research shows that this approach often results in better performancethan trying to suppress or eliminate anxiety.
Key Takeaways:
- Every feeling has a purpose; anxiety can be harnessed rather than suppressed.
- Teaching kids to engage with anxiety helps them build resilience and confidence.
- Suppression of anxiety doesn’t work—transformation does.
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