What’s the difference between stress and anxiety?

Many people experience stress regularly but when it infringes on your every day life, it may be a bigger issue than you realize.

Let’s start with identifying stress. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “stress is the physical or mental response to an external cause, such as having a lot of homework or having an illness.”

Stress is a normal response to everyday situations, and it can be beneficial in some cases. However, when it persists for a prolonged period of time, it can lead to physical and mental health problems. A stressor could be a something that happens once or can happen repeatedly.

Anxiety on the other hand, is your body’s reaction to stress and can happen even if there is no threat present. It can manifest itself in many ways, such as fear, worry, and physical symptoms such as an increase in heart rate. It is important to understand the difference between stress and anxiety, as they can both be hard to manage.

If left untreated, stress and anxiety can lead to serious health problems, including depression, insomnia, and even heart disease. Therefore, it is important to take steps to manage your stress and anxiety levels.

Check out this Stress vs. Anxiety checklist from the National Institute of Mental Health

Stress

Generally is a response to an external cause, such as taking a big test or arguing with a friend.

Goes away once the situation is resolved.

Can be positive or negative. For example, it may motivate you to meet an important deadline, or on the other hand it may consume your mind making it hard to concentrate and cause insomnia.

Anxiety

Diagnosable mental health condition.

Generally is internal, meaning it's your body's reaction to stress.

Usually involves a persistent feeling of apprehension or dread that doesn't go away, and that interferes with how you live your life.

Is constant, even if there is no immediate threat.

Similarities

Both stress and anxiety can affect your mind and body.

Mentally you can experience excessive worry, uneasiness, and tension.

Physically you may have headaches, body pain, high blood pressure, and loss of sleep.

If what you’re dealing with is stress, try to practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, yoga, or meditation. You can also try to make lifestyle changes, such as getting regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and eating a healthy diet.

If you are dealing with anxiety, talking to a mental health professional can help. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, medication, and other treatments can assist in learning how to effectively manage both anxiety and stress.

It's important to remember that you are not alone in your struggle and that reaching out for help is always an option. Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends, family members, or a mental health professional for the support you need.

NIMH.gov

APA.org