Stress and anxiety are very common and normal everyday emotions we experience. Maybe we feel anxious thinking about presenting a project for class: “I am feeling very anxious about the presentation tomorrow”. Or an important matter at work that needs extra attention causes some stress: “The meeting with my manager tomorrow is stressing me out”. Anxiety and stress are sometimes used interchangeably and can feel very similar. But there is actually a distinction between them both.

What is stress?

Stress is typically caused by an external trigger, such as arguments with loved ones, work deadlines on the horizon, or losing a job. There is always an event or incident that leads to stress, whether it be short-term or long-term. Stress is often rational and dissipates once the event is over.

Symptoms of stress look like:

- Feeling irritable and frustrated

- Experiencing fatigue

- Increased heart rate

- Accelerated breathing

- Difficulty with concentration or focus

What is anxiety?

Anxiety, on the other hand, is when there is excessive worry despite the absence of an obvious event or stressor. There might not be a real understanding of why you feel anxious or any obvious external trigger. It is often irrational and may result in guessing what you might be worried about. Sometimes there may be an external trigger that results in symptoms of anxiety, but even when the perceived root cause of anxiety no longer is present, anxiety remains and persists.

Symptoms of anxiety look like:

- Tightening in the chest

- Stomach churning

- Headaches

- Nausea

- Spiraling fear and dread that something bad may happen

- Feelings of confusion and helplessness

- Constant state of worry and panic

Key points of difference between stress and anxiety:

The difference between stress and anxiety is that anxiety is rooted in fear without a clear external cause. It can still be triggered by an event, but excessive worrying will still maintain even once it no longer exists. Stress can come on due to external triggers and will reduce when the stressor is absent. Stress is not a mental health disorder, but anxiety is a mental health disorder that can co-exist with other mental health concerns. Both can be unhelpful to our well-being if chronically experienced and impacting our daily functioning. It is important to know that you can feel stressed and anxious simultaneously. You can feel stressed about being anxious and you can also begin to feel anxious when chronic stress leads to irrational worry and fear about the future.

Should I see a therapist if I am anxious or stressed?

Absolutely, you can! Stress and anxiety can both be overwhelming. They can result in problems that are difficult to deal with and may worsen if they aren’t addressed. Maintaining good sleep hygiene such as getting enough hours of rest and sleeping at the same time every night helps reduce stress and anxiety levels. Moving your body through physical activity is also another healthy coping strategy to alleviate stress and anxiety as it emits endorphins to your brain and releases stored tension in the body. However, you may not know how to manage either better so that it does not impact your well-being negatively. That’s totally okay. This is where therapy can be really helpful. If you notice either is affecting aspects of your life or your ability to function at work or home, it is a good idea to reach out to a therapist to understand what exactly is causing the irrational fear in your anxiety or how to manage stress effectively

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