Anxiety can often be an indication signaling us that there is something going on that requires our attention. This "anxiety signal" can often be better understood and appreciated when the triggers for it are investigated by exploring the ways such anxiety manifests on a moment-to-moment basis. Paradoxically, by immersing oneself in situations that give rise to anxiety in the presence of a professional witness and ally, either in imagination or in vivo, the effects of such anxious states can be mitigated and perhaps resolved.

I have found that cognitive-behavioral therapy provides some useful strategies to deal with certain situations where anxiety may be a predominant feature of the experience. An in-depth exploration of the ways anxiety manifests and then developing strategies to work with this may help alleviate its adverse effects. One can then utilize these tools to more effectively manage such stressors as they arise.