‘A senior actor told me to make anxiety my friend’: Vicky Kaushal opens up about embracing anxiety—experts weigh in on why that’s a good thing

The intense and often overwhelming nature of anxiety can make it challenging to openly confront and accept it.

New Delhi | November 2, 2024 07:00 PM IST

3 min read

Vicky Kaushal shares an advice he received from a senior actor. (Source: Vicky Kaushal/Instagram)

In today’s fast-paced world, stress and anxiety have become constant companions. Despite society’s progress in recognising mental health issues, discussions around them often remain clouded in secrecy and stigma. This is why it’s impactful when public figures openly share their experiences with mental health.

In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar India, actor Vicky Kaushal shared his personal journey with anxiety, including a valuable piece of advice he received. “The best thing to do for anxiety is to acknowledge it. The enemy is indulging in it. A senior actor once told me to make anxiety your friend. It’s always going to be there; you just need to master it. Acknowledging it is a great first step,” said the Bad Newz actor.

But why is this a good thing?

Psychologist Ashutosh Tiwari from MindGlass Well-being, Delhi, said that anxiety is essentially a stress response where the body reacts to perceived demands or pressures. It can be triggered by high-stakes situations, sudden changes, or even conflicting expectations. In some cases, it arises without a clear reason, stemming from misinterpreted fears or thoughts.

Counseling psychologist Srishti Vatsa said that when not severe enough to require clinical intervention, anxiety can actually be motivating. “That nervousness before an exam or interview is nudging you to prepare better. Recognizing any emotion validates your experience, allowing you to work on reframing your thoughts,” she said.

Anxiety is essentially a stress response where the body reacts to perceived demands or pressures.(Source: Freepik)

Tiwari explained that anxiety triggers an adrenal rush similar to stress, causing your heartbeat to increase, your face to turn red, and your body temperature to rise. You may experience difficulty swallowing food, sweat, and appear confused, or conversely, you might experience a numb and chilling sensation in your body.

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However, he noted that this is not the same as stress, as anxiety can arise even in the absence of a real situation. “It doesn’t matter whether your anxiety comes with a real threat or because of your negative excessive automatic thoughts, there are multiple benefits if you accept and acknowledge your anxiety,” he said.

“Accepting that anxiety is a human experience can reduce feelings of isolation and shame. By acknowledging anxiety, you can understand how it triggers for you and its pattern, and it also reduces the fear associated with it, making it less overwhelming. Acknowledgment is the first step toward implementing healthy coping mechanisms,” said Tiwari.

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DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.

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