Having some anxiety is a normal stress response. As I wrote in a previous post, A Monument for the Anxious and Hopeful, feeling anxious often reflects something that hasn’t happened yet and reveals our general outlook on life. It helps if you can calm yourself, but if you’re afraid of something going wrong or focus on the worst, you might imagine how this increases anxiety. Anxiety becomes an issue when it affects your ability to function, doesn’t go away even after the trigger is gone, or affects the people around you.
Transforming Anxiety
Anxiety can arise from engaging in something new or unfamiliar, but not always. Last year, Learning to Ride a Bicycle as an Adult gave me anxiety. Fortunately, my anxiety lessened as I learned and became more comfortable on a bicycle. Having taken a break from riding during the cooler months, I was a bit anxious about getting back on my bike. After my first time riding following a six-month break I can now relate to the saying, “It’s like riding a bicycle.” It all came back to me without much effort. Riding on a familiar bike trail and practicing on my weaker areas also helped ease my nervousness.
Shortly after, my husband upgraded my bicycle, which we brought on our first trip to Lake Erie. A different design from my step-through cruiser bike, this lighter and faster bike, coupled with riding on the road in Put-in-Bay, gave me some initial anxiety. I felt calmer after getting a feel for my new bicycle and a comparably better ride than my cruiser. By the second day of our trip, while on Kelly’s Island, I was less nervous and enjoyed my surroundings more.
I’ve also experienced anxiety at the roller rink during crowded open skate sessions full of children with skate mates or kids skating without regard. It took time for me to feel comfortable enough to skate in a chaotic environment. Though not my preferred setting, the more I’m in that environment, the more I’ve gotten used to it. While I still look over my shoulder and watch for kids crossing my path, I’m improving at navigating rolling roadblocks, as my husband calls them. With experience comes confidence, both of which help to transform anxiety.
How Do You Respond to Anxiety?
Whatever may trigger your anxiety, how do you respond? I’ve noticed that I’ll get snippy, irritated, or angry. Sometimes, this happens when I feel rushed or pressured to complete something or be somewhere. It may also stem from the expectations of others along with my own. Riding a Bike Has Been Enlightening as I became more aware of how I react when I’m stressed or anxious. While it’s normal to be anxious and have some anxiety, I don’t want anxiety to become an issue. I want to manage how I react during stressful moments and not take it out on others.
