Women's Network February 2019 | Page 20

Overcoming high-functioning anxiety Y ou like to be busy, in control, and kick butt in business and life. However, is high- functioning anxiety placing you on the fast track to burnout? You’re smashing goals, stuffing your schedule with mountains of to-dos, running a business and a busy household…and generally kicking butt like Superwoman. You know you can’t keep running on coffee and adrenalin, with a splash of wine after five. But as more people praise your proactivity – and you keep striving and succeeding – it seems impossible to stop. So you work harder, go faster, spinning plate after plate…and cross your fingers it won’t all come crashing down. This is what high-functioning anxiety feels like. It’s alluring. After all, who doesn’t want to be reach all their goals as quickly as possible? Who doesn’t want to squeeze all the juice out of life? But if your anxiety is out of control, you may not see you’re on the freeway to Burnout City…until you get there. And believe me, it’s SO much easier to avoid that destination, than to try and steer through it. 20 Women’s Network Magazine So, what does high-functioning anxiety look at feel like? outgoing and energetic like to keep busy like to be in control strive for perfection tend to dwell on things a high achiever love details organised and tidy proactive and productive fiercely loyal in relationships Sounds pretty fab, right? After all, we’re celebrated for being energetic, organised, proactive and loyal – and we proudly wear ‘busyness’ like a badge of honour.