“Why do I feel so stressed out 24/7?” “Is this much stress normal?” “Should I reach out for help or just wait to see if my stress fades away?” “Is it all in my head or is there a larger issue here?” These are all common questions someone might ask themselves when they’re dealing with stress or anxiety. The real question is, what exactly is the difference between experiencing stress versus having anxiety? Most people separate the two by short term and long term panic and worry, however there is much more to it.
Generally, stress is an emotional response that is set off by some event occuring in your life, however it only typically lasts for a short period of time. Triggers for stress can range from something as simple as a difficult math test coming up to a tragic loss in one’s family. On the other hand, anxiety tends to be more tenacious, causing an individual to experience excessive and long lasting panic even if a stressor has subsided.
Both stress and anxiety appear in extremely similar ways which is another leading factor in why somebody may not understand which one they’re experiencing. Symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension and irritability are all common amongst the two. In the same way that stress and anxiety may look the same, there are also certain techniques that can aid mild cases. Nutritious diets, a stable sleep schedule, physical activity and exercise, breathing techniques and even journaling or coloring are all great ways to begin to manage and cope with both stress and anxiety. In more severe situations, it is wise to seek professional help such as a counselor or therapist. Stress and anxiety can easily affect one’s daily life and take a heavy toll on your overall mental health so talking with a professional could lead to better coping mechanisms or answers to a larger problem, such as an anxiety disorder. There are a multitude of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder or it may show as a more specific phobia ( like aerophobia and acrophobia). Many forms of anxiety disorders are usually and best treated with a combination of therapy and medication.
Stress and anxiety can be fairly simple and mild in some people, however they can also grow to the point where they take over the person you once were and heavily affect your daily performance. Reaching out for help when you’re experiencing one of these is not weak, it is extremely brave. It’s not always easy to admit there may be a larger issue, however you are not alone, there are so many people that love you, support you and are even going through the same thing as you. That being said, be kind to yourself and to other people because you never know what someone else is going through.
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