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Stress vs Anxiety: Key Differences and Management Tips

Stress and anxiety may overlap, but they're not the same. Here's how to tell them apart and manage each effectively.

This is a collage image of a person.
This is a collage image of a person.

Stress vs Anxiety: Key Differences and Management Tips

Stress and anxiety, though similar, have distinct features. Both can cause sleep issues, digestive problems, and irritability. However, anxiety can also bring feelings of impending doom and brain fog, even without a clear trigger.

Stress is typically tied to specific situations, like a demanding job or family conflict. It keeps the body in a constant state of alertness, with symptoms including dizziness, muscle tension, and increased heart rate. Once the situation is resolved, stress usually fades.

Anxiety, on the other hand, can linger even without an obvious cause. It's often linked to overactivity of the amygdala, negative past experiences, low self-esteem, and societal pressure. It shares many symptoms with stress but can also bring feelings of impending doom, tingling or numbness, and brain fog.

Managing both involves lifestyle changes like limiting caffeine and getting enough sleep. Professional help is recommended when it affects daily life.

While stress and anxiety share many symptoms, they differ in their triggers and duration. Stress is usually tied to specific situations, while anxiety can linger without a clear cause. Both can be managed through lifestyle changes and professional help when needed.

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