Am I Feeling Anxiety or Tension?
Wait—What’s the Difference?
If you’ve ever played tug-of-war or stretched a rubber band between two fingers, you’ve felt the unmistakable force that physicists call “tension.” In physics, tension is loosely defined as the pulling or stretching force in opposite directions transmitted along an object such as a string, rope or band. The object is alive with stored energy, holding the potential for forward motion.
That stored energy is why in TED* (The Empowerment Dynamic) framework we include the powerful concept of Dynamic Tension as a structure for taking action. Dynamic Tension arises any time two conditions exist simultaneously. In the field of human development those two conditions are often described as:
Current Reality – where you actually are is a point that stretches in one direction.
Desired Outcome – where you want to be pulls in the other direction.
Those two opposites stretch the metaphorical rubber band of your life. If you can harness the tension so that it becomes generative energy, you will discover the secret to creating anything.
It is easy to confuse the generative power of Dynamic Tension with the emotional feeling of anxiety – characterized by a mix of physical and mental sensations, including nervousness, racing heart, restlessness and uneasiness. Extreme anxiety can include a sense of danger and fear. The state of the world is genuinely stressful: scary global wars, storms, economic uncertainty, social division and the all-around dizzying speed of life. It is easy to understand why so many use the word anxiety to describe their inner state.
The word rolls off tongues these days—“I’m anxious about this meeting. I don’t know how I will get everything done.” Etc. etc. Yet not every tightening in the belly is pathological or requires a fear response. Without reflection and body awareness, you may misinterpret the natural, creative tension of Dynamic Tension as something bad, dangerous, or overwhelming. Once the “anxiety” label is put on your feelings, your mind may launch a stress response, catastrophizing the situation, triggering reactive habits and if not watchful, a slide into the Dreaded Drama Triangle (DDT).
Victim voice: “I’ll never figure this out.”
Persecutor voice: “What’s wrong with me that I can’t get this right?”
Rescuer voice: “Maybe someone else should just do it for me.”
If the DDT takes you over it’s likely the generative energy of tension will not engage. This is actually very sad because we need people who know how to hold the creative energy stored in Dynamic Tension to be more innovative and resourceful than ever.
So how do you know whether what you’re feeling is Dynamic Tension or exhausting anxiety? I am still working with this question every day. I am no expert, believe me. But I have been aware of this distinction for some time and learning to observe myself to discern the difference. Here are a few paths I’ve been working with when I feel that inner “tug” of energy. I ask myself:
Am I focusing on the future or past rather than this present moment? Overly focusing on either, rather than the present, puts me in a ruminating, over-thinking state of mind I call, “ain’t it awful” thinking. If I can stay with the present moment and reduce my thinking, I have a better chance to go inward and feel my body’s sensations. At this point, I am learning to distinguish between anxiety and the thing I care about, that is wanting to be named and clarified.
I ask myself, “Am I actually excited about something I want—and just confusing it with anxiety?” When something meaningful is emerging, I still feel butterflies in my stomach, but I also notice a heightened alertness and an eagerness to move forward. That energy signals there’s something I truly desire. However, when it’s anxiety rooted in fear, my body constricts and tightens; it feels as if I’m slogging through mud with no idea how to proceed, fixated only on what I don’t want.
And finally, I listen to my inner dialogue. Tension whispers, “Pay attention—something meaningful wants to emerge.” Anxiety screams, “Run! Something terrible is about to happen.”
Sometimes the feeling is clinical anxiety if it is persistent and interferes with daily life. If this is the case, I hope then you will reach out to a health professional. Even though both have similar qualities, generative tension is situational and motivational while chronic anxiety is pervasive and exhausting. Knowing the difference is an act of self-care.
Imagine humanity with zero tension so that every desire is instantly fulfilled, every challenge removed. Progress would stall, art would cease, innovation would fall by the wayside. Dynamic Tension is the spark that turns dreams into reality.
When you next feel that inner stretch—whether about a global cause or an everyday situation —pause before you label it “anxiety.” Ask if it might be Dynamic Tension inviting your Creator essence to emerge. If you honor it, breathe with it, relax and take one conscious step toward what you want, you will be leveraging that generative energy.
I will pick up on that theme next week and share how the incredible power of baby steps – taking just one incremental step – is the greatest antidote to anxiety I have every worked with.
Until next time, here’s to the Creator in you.
Donna
