Good Anxiety - by Wendy Suzuki (Paperback)

About the Book

"40 strategies to make anxiety work for you"--Cover.

Book Synopsis

World-renowned neuroscientist and author of Healthy Brain, Happy Life has developed an "absolute game-changer" (Conscious Conversations podcast) for managing unwarranted anxiety and turning it into a powerful asset.

We are living in the age of anxiety, a situation that often makes us feel as if we are locked into an endless cycle of stress, sleeplessness, and worry. But what if we had a way to leverage our anxiety to help us solve problems and fortify our well-being? What if, instead of seeing anxiety as a curse, we could recognize it for the unique gift that it is?

As a neuroscientist, Dr. Wendy Suzuki has discovered a paradigm-shifting truth about anxiety: yes, it is uncomfortable, but it is also essential for our survival. In fact, anxiety is a key component of our ability to live optimally. Every emotion we experience has an evolutionary purpose, and anxiety is designed to draw our attention to a number of negative emotions. If we simply approach anxiety as something to avoid, get rid of, or dampen, we actually miss an opportunity to not only manage the symptoms of anxiety better but also discover ways to improve our lives. Listening to our worries from a place of curiosity, instead of fear, can actually guide us onto a path that leads to joy.

"Suzuki draws on decades of neuroscience, including her own research, and leavens her learning with a little personal storytelling to create a practical, science-backed guidebook for those seeking such a transformation" (The Wall Street Journal).

Review Quotes

"Good Anxiety is a must-read for anyone interested in harnessing their full power in creativity and productivity in all areas."--Eve Rodsky, New York Times bestselling author of Fair Play and Find Your Unicorn Space

"A book that is erudite, practical, reader-friendly, deeply personal, and sure to help even the most anxious among us."-- "New York Journal of Books"

"An essential guide, with tips on coping mechanisms as well as training techniques for communication and productivity for anyone who finds themselves suffering from anxiety, stress, or a case of the 'what-ifs.'"-- "Fortune"

"Anxiety is not only useful, but essential to living in the modern world in this helpful self-guide guide." -- "Publisher's Weekly"

"Anxiety isn't a weakness--it's your brain telling you that it's time for a change. And in this incredibly insightful book, Dr. Wendy Suzuki breaks down the exact whats, whys, and hows to flipping your perspective, and turning anxiety into the secret weapon you can use to get the life you want. She will transform your kryptonite into your super power!"--Lisa Bilyeu, co-founder of Impact Theory

"As I always tell my psychiatric patients, having some anxiety is a good thing. The key is learning to use your brain to transform the way you think about anxiety so you can tap into its secret powers. That's why I love Good Anxiety so much. It offers a handy toolbox to transform your anxiety from a downer to a superpower."--Daniel G. Amen, MD, psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and twelve-time New York Times bestselling author of Change Your Brain, Change Your Life and Your Brain Is Always Listening

"Everyone feels anxious at times but "Good Anxiety" shows us that not only can we learn to live with anxiety but we can make it work for us too. Dr. Wendy Suzuki, a professor of Neural Science and Psychology at New York University, shares scientific facts in a comprehensive and relatable way. She then offers clear tools and strategies to help us live a fuller life." --Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness and Real Change

"For those of us simply trying to navigate a world in which worries seem destined to multiply, [Dr.] Suzuki provides a welcome road map." -- "The Wall Street Journal"

"Suzuki draws on decades of neuroscience, including her own research, and leavens her learning with a little personal storytelling to create a practical, science-backed guidebook for those seeking such a transformation." -- "Wall Street Journal"

"The book contains surveys and strategies to help people assess and even befriend their anxiety. It's a powerful reminder that many of the human body's adaptations can be used for good or ill -- and that people can flip their responses to what can feel like inevitable feelings of anxiety and stress."-- "The Washington Post"

"This book is an absolute game-changer. [Suzuki] talks about good anxiety and the idea around building a better relationship to our anxiety and using it as a way to empower us to be better... It's a mixture of tools, of storytelling, of understanding and unpacking some of the best things we can do to help our mental health [and] anxiety."-- "Conscious Conversations Podcast"

About the Author

Dr. Wendy Suzuki is a Professor of Neural Science and Psychology in the Center for Neural Science at New York University and a celebrated international authority on neuroplasticity. She was recently named one of the ten women changing the way we see the world by Good Housekeeping and regularly serves as a sought-after expert for publications including The Wall Street Journal, Shape, and Health. Her TED talk has more than 55 million views across all major platforms and was the second most-viewed TED talk of 2018. She is the author of Good Anxiety and Healthy Brain, Happy Life.