What’s the Difference Between Stress and Anxiety?

Although they can share some of the same physical symptoms, there is a difference between stress and anxiety. Not only is the root cause of each different, but how these emotions affect the body can be different. In order to help prevent or avoid anxiety and stress, we’ll take a closer look at what defines each of them.

Some of the similar physical symptoms the two can share are racing heartbeat, rapid breathing, headaches, chest pains, dizziness and muscle tension. However, anxiety can yield to a panic attack that could include more severe symptoms.

Although there is some overlap between the source of stress and anxiety, for the most part, the cause of acute stress is different than the cause of anxiety. Stress comes from the pressures we feel from work and life. It is caused by an existing, external factor or stressor. Whereas, anxiety is often something that continues after a stressor is gone. And the root of most anxiety is fear. With stress, it is often easy to distinguish what in our life is causing the stress. But with anxiety, it can sometimes be more difficult to tell, which only adds to the problem.

With stress we might feel frustrated, angry or nervous. And with anxiety, we tend to feel more fear, unease or worry. Regardless of the difference between stress and anxiety, they both can leave us feeling helpless. A few tips on how to prevent or limit both:

• With stress, prioritize your day. Make a list and try not to over-schedule or multitask. Address any work or professional relationships that may be at the source of your stress. And aim to do one healthy thing each day, whether it be active or leisure, that makes you feel relaxed.

• If anxiety still persists after you’ve minimized the stress in your life, look at events, social situations or activities that increase this anxiety. Make a list of what it is that you are afraid of, then address those individual fears. If you can’t find anything specific that you are worried about, or unable to move past what you are fearful of, consider reaching out to a specialist for help.