When it comes to stress and anxiety, there are a lot of similarities. But there are also some key differences.
Stress and anxiety can both be triggered by things like big life changes, or events that are perceived as threats. And they both involve the body’s “fight or flight” response, which is when the body releases hormones like adrenaline to prepare for an emergency.
But there are some key ways that stress and anxiety differ. Stress is usually more short-term, while anxiety is more long-term. And while stress can be helpful in some situations (like if it motivates you to study for an exam), anxiety has nothing positive to offer.
Here are some more detailed descriptions of stress and anxiety, including their symptoms and tips for coping.
Stress
Stress is your body’s response to anything that feels threatening or overwhelming. It can be caused by things like deadlines at work, financial problems, or relationship issues.
Symptoms of stress can include feeling irritable, having trouble sleeping, sweating, and an increased heart rate.
Tips for coping with stress:
Identify your triggers: What are the things that tend to make you feel stressed? Once you know what they are, you can try to avoid them or be better prepared for them.
Create a support network: Lean on your family and friends when you’re feeling stressed. Talking about what’s going on can help you feel better and might give you some helpful perspective.
Exercise: Exercise is a great way to release the physical tension that stress can cause in your body.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a bit different from stress. It’s a more long-term condition that can cause feelings of worry, nervousness, and fear. These feelings are often out of proportion to the situation that’s causing them.
For example, someone with anxiety might feel very worried about a job interview, even though they’re well-qualified for the position.
Anxiety can also cause physical symptoms like a racing heart, sweating, and difficulty breathing.
Tips for coping with anxiety:
Practice relaxation techniques: Deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can all help to calm an anxious mind.
Exercise: Exercise can help to reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety and can also be a great distraction from anxious thoughts.
Talk to a therapist: A therapist can help you understand and manage your anxiety.
The Takeaway
For both stress and anxiety, it’s important to find healthy coping mechanisms that work for you. If you’re struggling to manage your stress or anxiety on your own, don’t be afraid to seek professional help.
For Further Reading:
The following are some posts you might find useful if you struggle with anxiety.
- Relationship Anxiety: What It Is, What Causes It, and How to Overcome It
- How to Overcome Anxiety with Simple Grounding Techniques
- Driving Anxiety: How you can overcome the phobia of driving
- Pet Separation Anxiety: The Human-Animal Bond in Two Studies
- How to Help Your Child Overcome Social Anxiety: What You Need to Know
- 20 Affirmations to Calm Anxiety and Improve Your Life
- Anxiety vs. Depression: How to Tell the Difference and Get Help
- Anxiety and Heart Disease in Men: What you need to know
- Spinner Rings – a natural way to reduce stress and anxiety
- Music To Heal Anxiety – The Best Songs to Listen to When You Are Anxious
- Managing Anxiety and How to Stop It from Ruining Your Life
- How to Manage Anxiety and Stress with a Mindfulness Practice
- What to Say to a Friend with Anxiety Instead of ‘Don’t Stress’
- Inspirational Quotes about Overcoming Anxiety
- Everything You Need to Know About Self-Soothing
- The Danger of Being a Perfectionist: Why You Need to Let Go
- Getting Out of a Rut: Tips for Breaking out of Your Comfort Zone
- Interoception: the hidden sense that shapes wellbeing
- How to Control Anxiety in the Face of War: Tips for Coping
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Everything You Need to Know
- Gardening – A Fun and Healthy Way to Lower Stress, Anxiety and Depression
- How to break the rumination cycle
- 11 Steps to Coping with Climate Anxiety: What You Need to Know
- Acupuncture for Anxiety – How does it work and why does it help?
- How to break the rumination cycle
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