Eli5: Is anxiety or stress beneficial in any way?

Question

Eli5: Is anxiety or stress beneficial in any way?

In: 6

Answer 1

Here’s a specific example:

I used to be a performer.

I’d be anxious back stage before going on. That was important to me. I’d use that nervous energy to fuel my performance.

If I wasn’t feeling that anxiety, it meant something was wrong. I was too tired, or too complacent, and I’d have to work harder to give a good performance.

Hope that helps.