Stress & Anxiety: Whats the real Difference?
Stress is the body’s response to any demand or challenge placed on your brain or physical health. It can be triggered by various events or situations that make you feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or nervous.[i]
Anxiety, on the other hand, is a feeling of fear, worry, or unease. While it often occurs as a reaction to stress, it can also arise without a clear or obvious trigger.[ii]
Despite their differences, stress and anxiety share many of the same symptoms, including[iii]:
- Trouble sleeping
- Digestive issues
- Difficulty concentrating
- Muscle tension
- Irritability or anger
It’s normal for most people to experience stress and anxiety from time to time, and this isn’t always a “bad” thing. In fact, these feelings can sometimes act as useful motivators to tackle challenging tasks or responsibilities that you might otherwise avoid.
However, when stress and anxiety become overwhelming or go unmanaged, they can start to interfere with your daily life, ultimately taking a toll on both your mental and physical well-being.
Let’s take a closer look at the differences between stress and anxiety and explore how to find support in managing both.
Understanding the Differences
While there are overlaps between stress and anxiety, recognising their differences is crucial for better awareness and more effective management.
Stress[iv]:
- Resolves when the external source is removed: Stress usually subsides once the source of pressure is managed or removed, such as after meeting a project deadline.
- Proportional to the external source: The intensity of stress is often directly related to the size of the challenge or external pressure.
- Can prompt proactive behaviour: Stress often drives individuals to tackle the problem at hand, as there is a sense of rationale that overcoming the obstacle will reduce the stress.
Anxiety[v]:
- Persists without an external source: Anxiety can continue even when there is no immediate stressor because it may be a symptom of a mental health condition.
- Disproportionate to the external stressor: Anxiety can fluctuate regardless of the level of the challenge posed by an external factor, often due to internal predispositions.
- Affects emotional responses: Anxiety can severely impact daily life, leading to avoidance of stressors and affecting overall well-being.
Strategies to manage both
Both stress and anxiety can impact mental and physical health if not managed effectively. In the UK, nearly half of adults (48%) report experiencing frequent anxiety, which can impact their daily lives.[vi] Additionally, persistent stress has been linked to an increased risk of health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.[vii]
It’s important to remember that support and tools are available to help tackle symptoms associated with both stress and anxiety. Understanding their impact on overall well-being can guide you in seeking the right assistance. Here are some practical strategies to help relieve symptoms:
Here are some key tips to relieve symptoms of both:
- Be kind to yourself: Talk yourself through stressful situations and try to replace negative thoughts with rational, positive ones.
- Find your relaxation space: Whether it’s your bedroom or time spent with a pet, find an environment where you feel safe and can take deep breaths.
- Exercise: Physical activity releases endorphins, boosts your mood, and enhances self-esteem. Motivating yourself can be challenging, but it's crucial to push past self-doubt.
- Spend time in nature: A walk in a local park or simply taking a moment for fresh air can help calm a busy mind.
- Guided meditation: You don’t need any special equipment. Simply search for guided meditations online, put on your earphones, and focus on your breathing.
- Connect with others: Sharing your feelings with family and friends can be a powerful way to alleviate stress or anxiety.
- Seek professional advice: If these feelings are persistent and affecting your daily life, speak to your GP for support and guidance on the best treatment options.
How Kalms could help
Many people use herbal remedies to help them feel more like themselves again.
Kalms Day contains valerian root as its active ingredient. Valerian Root is traditionally used to relieve mild symptoms of stress, such as irritability and restlessness. It is derived from the roots of the Valeriana officinalis plant, native to Europe and Asia.
Kalms Lavender contains lavender oil as its active ingredient. Traditionally used to ease mild symptoms of anxiety, lavender oil has a long-standing association with relaxation. Comes in a convenient one-a-day soft capsule, for use during challenging times.
To learn more about the Kalms range, click here.
[i] Stress Management: What is stress (2024) WebMD. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/what-is-stress.
[ii] Anxiety disorders: Types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment (2024) WebMD. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/anxiety-disorders.
[iii] Stress vs. anxiety: Differences, symptoms, and relief (2020) Medical News Today. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/stress-vs-anxiety.
[iv] Stress management: Techniques & strategies to deal with stress (2024) HelpGuide.org. Available at: https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/stress/stress-management.
[v] Anxiety disorders and anxiety attacks: Symptoms & treatment (2024) HelpGuide.org. Available at: https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/anxiety/anxiety-disorders-and-anxiety-attacks.
[vi] Survey by Census Wide, commissioned by Lanes Health. Conducted on 3,726 Respondents - including 2,000 nationally representative respondents. October 2023.
[vii] How stress affects your body and behavior (2023) Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-symptoms.
-
Posted by Emily Garfield
1st September 2024
