Book Review: Good Anxiety: Harnessing the Power of the Most Misunderstood Emotion

Date Finished: April 20, 2022
Author: Wendy Suzuki
Tags: #nonfiction, self-help, anxiety, #psychology

🚀 The Book in 3 Sentences
This book integrates the author’s personal experiences with her professional knowledge and expertise about anxiety by reframing it from an always negative experience to one with positive potential if regulated.
🎨 Impressions
“Good Anxiety” was an easy listen via audiobook (on Scribd). For someone already familiar with basic brain structures and chemicals (i.e. the amygdala, cortisol, and neurotransmitters), the beginning of the book was less interesting as it reviewed this foundational knowledge about what’s happening in the brain when one experiences threat, anxiety, etc. I most appreciated the latter parts of the book that provided case examples of positive applications of redirecting anxiety. I would have liked to hear even more of these and perhaps a bit less of the author’s story. While she endured tragic losses while writing the book, it didn’t really feel connected to the intended topic and it felt a bit like trying to mix a short memoir of grief into a book about anxiety.
🔎How I Discovered It
I think this book was recommended on one of Adam Grant’s lists. I resonate with his perspective often and love his lists! Additionally, I struggle with anxiety an am always motivated to learn more about how to control it.
🙋‍♂️Who Should Read It?
Students interested in the basics of psychology and the brain should read this book in addition to anyone who would appreciate a reframing of anxiety.
☘️ How the Book Changed Me
I’ll make an effort to avoid negative bias when noticing my anxiety and instead recognize that it’s probably centered on something I value. I’ll also try experimenting with redirecting anxiety for gains.
✍️ My Top 3 Quotes
“Anxiety really does work like a form of energy. Think of it as a chemical reaction to an event or situation: Without trustworthy resources, training, and timing, that chemical reaction can get out of hand — but it can also be controlled and used for valuable good.”

“The sources of our anxiety are great pointers toward what we value in life. Does it take effort to shift those negative emotions to their positive versions? Yes. But they are also indications of what is important or valuable to us.”

“By reframing the way you think about anxiety, you can take what was once a major drag and turn it into something useful and even beneficial in your life. And as you achieve this flip, you will naturally open the door to the extraordinary benefits that anxiety is designed to bring into your life. When functioning properly, anxiety can essentially grant you six superpowers: the ability to strengthen your overall physical and emotional resilience; perform tasks and activities at a higher level; optimize your mindset; increase your focus and productivity; enhance your social intelligence; and improve your creative skills. Getting a handle on your anxiety and shifting it to good opens the door to discovering how anxiety can become a superpower.”
📒 Rating+ Summary + Notes
This book was a solid 3.5 for me.
As noted, it adds a needed reframing of anxiety to the contemporary nonfiction space, which will hopefully reach people beyond the fields of psychology. What didn’t feel new was the repetitious recommendations to eat well, sleep 8+ hours, exercise, and meditate. These sections were fairly unrelatable as a working parent of three right now. More importantly though, they didn’t provide any new information. I would have liked to hear more about the uses of good anxiety.
♿ Disability Themes or References
While there’s little mention or acknowledgment of disability throughout the book, it was a major red flag 🚩 that Suzuki makes a passing comment that some people with autism have trouble demonstrating empathy. She was clearly not versed in autism and the book was weakened by this outdated and uninformed addition. It was especially disappointing because there’s a rich world of understanding to be gained in exploring autism and anxiety. Instead of starting there, she just perpetuated a stereotype and moved on. For a better take on autism, anxiety, and empathy, read Eric Garcia’s recent release “We’re Not Broken.” (my review)

I’ll cross-share book reviews with a disability mention (positive or negative, major or minor) here but you can see all my reviews on Good Reads.