This article explains the differences and similarities, between stress and anxiety, and also discuss treatment and management strategies. It also touched on when someone might benefit from medical attention.
Stress and anxiety are natural parts of the “fight or flight” response and the body’s reaction to danger. The purpose of this response is to ensure a person is alert, focused, and ready to deal with a threat.
Both stress and anxiety are normal, although they can sometimes overwhelm people.
Stress and anxiety are both a part of the body’s natural “fight or flight” response. When someone feels under threat, their body releases stress hormones.
Stress hormones cause the heart to beat faster, resulting in more blood pumping to the organs and limbs.
This response allows a person to be ready to either fight or run away. They also breathe faster, and their blood pressure goes up.
At the same time, a person’s senses become sharper, and the body releases nutrients into the blood to ensure all parts have the energy they need.
This process happens very quickly, and experts refer to it as stress. While anxiety is the body’s response to that stress.
Many people will recognize anxiety as the feeling of distress, unease, or dread that someone has before a significant event occur. It keeps them alert, aware and at get ready to act or escape position.
The “fight or flight” response can set in when an individual faces a physical or emotional, real or perceived threat. While it can be useful, for some people, it can disrupt everyday life for others.
Some similar Symptoms
There are many similarities between the symptoms of stress and anxiety. When individuals are stressed, they may experience the following symptoms:
- Faster heartbeat
- Faster breathing
- Anxious thoughts
- Moodiness, irritability, or anger
- General unhappiness
- A feeling of being overwhelmed
- Loneliness
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea or constipation
When individuals are anxious, they may experience the following symptoms:
- Faster heartbeat
- Faster breathing
- A feeling of unease or dread
- Sweating
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Nervousness
- Tenseness
- Restlessness
How to know the difference between stress and anxiety
As shown above, stress and anxiety are part of the same bodily reaction and have similar symptoms. What this means is that, it can be difficult to tell which one is stress or anxiety.
However, it is observed that stress tends to be short term and in response to a recognized threat. While anxiety can linger and can sometimes appear as if nothing is triggering it.
The treatment and management
People can treat or manage stress and anxiety in various ways. This may include using the following approaches:
Relaxation strategies
Relaxation strategies can help people to cope with stress and anxiety. The strategies include:
- breathing exercises
- focusing on a soothing word, such as “peace or calm”
- Visualizing a tranquil scene, such as a beach or meadow
- Practicing yoga
- Practicing ta chi
- Slowly counting to 10
Exercise
Physical activity can help people to deal with stressful situations. Exercises like brisk walk, cycling, or running are all helpful. The fluid movements of activities such as yoga and qi gong can also help people to feel calm.
Talking about it
Talking about your worries, with someone whether face-to-face, over the phone, or via the internet, can help you to ease your stress. You can also benefit from chatting with someone you trust, such as a friend, partner, family member, or co-worker.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America advise that people look after their mind and body, and take action when they can.
Individuals can:
- Accept that they cannot control everything
- Settle for their best rather than aim for perfection
- Learn what triggers their stress and anxiety
- Limit caffeine and alcohol
- Eat well balanced meals
- Get enough sleep
- Exercise every day
Sometimes, stress can develop into anxiety. Stress is the body’s reaction to a threat, and anxiety is the body’s reaction to stress. In the next section we will learn about important warning signs to help you know when to see a doctor
Important Signs to look out for, in order to know if it’s Time to see a Doctor
Stress and anxiety are not always bad in themselves. They are natural, short-term reactions that people need to stay safe.
If you notice that you are stressed or anxious always or a lot of the time, you should speak to a doctor. This could be a sign that, you may be suffering from chronic stress or an anxiety disorder.
Warning signs to look out for can include the following:
- Excessive anxiety that interferes with everyday life
- Misusing drugs or alcohol to deal with stress or anxiety
- Irrational fears
- A significant change in sleeping habits
- A significant change in eating habits
- A significant change in personal hygiene habits
- A prolonged low mood
- Self-harming or thinking about self-harming
- Suicidal thoughts
- Feeling out of control
How to understand the Differences and Similarities of stress and anxiety – important points to takeaway
Stress and anxiety are normal human reactions to threatening or worrying situations. They are part of the fight or flight response that keeps us safe by preparing the body to deal with danger.
Stress is the body’s reaction to a threat, whereas anxiety is the body’s reaction to the stress.
People can manage their stress and anxiety with relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises, physical activities, and talking about their worries.
Sometimes, stress and anxiety can overwhelm people. When this happens, it can result to chronic stress or an anxiety disorder.
If you notice that stress or anxiety are interfering with your everyday life, or that of a loved one, you may need to talk to a doctor.
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