Anxiety vs Stress: Know the Difference

06/25/2025

What are Stress and Anxiety? 

Any demand placed on your brain or body is stress, which is usually triggered by events and scenarios that make you feel frustrated or anxious. On the other hand, anxiety is linked to the persistent feeling of worry, fear, or unease, which may even occur without any apparent trigger.

Most people experience anxiety and stress occasionally, and it is not a bad thing. Sometimes, it may motivate you to do difficult things, preparing your body to deal with danger. Unmanaged anxiety and stress can affect your day-to-day life, causing mental and physical distress.

The Difference Between Anxiety and Stress 

A fine line exists between stress and anxiety. Although both are emotional responses, stress is usually triggered by external factors. The external factors could be both short-term and long-term. A few examples of short-term triggers are a fight with a loved one or an approaching work deadline. On the other hand, long-term triggers of stress may consist of chronic illness, discrimination, being unable to work, etc.

In addition to the above, anxiety is characterized by the constant feeling of worry and fear that doesn’t fade even in the absence of a stressor. Anxiety also causes similar symptoms to stress. 

Mild anxiety and stress can be managed easily with a wide range of coping mechanisms. You can opt for the following coping mechanism to manage mild anxiety and stress:

• A nutritious diet

• Physical activity

• A good sleeping schedule

If these techniques don’t bring any relief, consider seeing a mental health specialist. They may suggest other coping mechanisms in addition to the above mentioned. 

Anxiety and stress are two different things, yet they are closely related to each other.  In certain cases, stress may trigger anxiety, but not always. 

Symptoms of Anxiety and Stress 

Being anxious and stressed can result in a broad range of physical and psychological symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. The number of symptoms and their intensity may vary from one person to another, which typically relies on the root cause.

Stress may cause you to go through the following symptoms:

• Dizziness

• Muscle tension

• Headaches

• Increased sweating

• Anger or irritability

• Restlessness

• Changes in appetite

• Increased heart rate

• Feelings of overwhelm

• Trouble sleeping

• Digestive issues, including nausea and diarrhea

Signs of anxiety are similar to those of stress but with a few additional symptoms, such as:

• Brain fog

• A feeling of impending doom

• Tingling or numbness 

Tips to Manage Stress and Anxiety 

Experiencing anxiety and stress from time to time is pretty common. It may have a wide range of causes, affecting overall well-being. Therefore, it is important to manage it before it takes a toll on your mental and physical health. There are some strategies that can help you manage and mitigate its associated symptoms, allowing you to live a balanced life.

Make sure to observe how your body reacts to a stressful or anxiety-provoking situation. This will help you to have better control over yourself next time when the same situation arises. 

Making certain lifestyle changes can help you diminish the symptoms brought on by anxiety and stress. You can use these techniques in addition to your regular medical treatments for anxiety/stress. The following are the common lifestyle changes to tackle anxiety/stress: 

• Cutting back on caffeine and alcohol consumption

• Getting 7 to 8 hours of essential sleep daily

• Engaging in physical activity daily

• Practicing mindfulness

• Making time for activities that give you mental peace and joy

• Incorporating breathing exercises into the routine

• Sharing your feelings/thoughts with loved ones

If you are living with any other condition that may restrict you from bringing the aforementioned lifestyle changes into practice, please abide by your doctor’s guidelines. 

When to seek Medical Help? 

Feeling stressed or anxious occasionally is quite common and not overly concerning. However, when it starts affecting your day-to-day life, it becomes increasingly important to consult a medical professional. 

Therapy is beneficial for everyone, not just for those with a mental health condition. A professional therapist can help you in many ways, from finding potential triggers to creating strategies to deal with a condition that may trigger your anxiety or stress. This will simplify your overall life, enabling you to live with confidence.

Consider seeking aid from a mental health specialist if your anxiety or stress leaves you with a feeling of hopelessness or thoughts of hurting yourself or others.

There are plenty of options available that can help you improve your mental health. If left unaddressed, it may have a wide range of undesirable consequences in the long term. 

Available Treatments for Stress and Anxiety: 

There is an extensive range of therapies that can help with anxiety and stress.  In order to find the one that stands in line with your personal needs, please get in touch with a healthcare professional.  Based on your symptoms, triggers, and other factors, a mental health professional will pick the most suitable approach. 

The most recommended approaches are:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: It is a way that focuses on managing problems by changing the way individuals behave and think in a particular situation. 

Exposure therapy: It is a kind of therapy that gradually and steadily exposes you to situations that often cause anxiety or stress.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy:  This therapy involves teaching how to accept and sit with unwanted, negative, and intrusive emotions/thoughts.

If the abovementioned approaches don’t show any fruitful outcomes, you may also be suggested medication such as benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. They are usually recommended when symptoms are severe and don’t improve with other available treatments.  Such medications may cause serious outcomes if not used as directed or used without a doctor’s approval. 

The Bottom Line: 

Experiencing mild to moderate anxiety/stress in life is common and not a cause for concern. However, when these feelings start affecting your life significantly and causing unwanted consequences, you should consider consulting a doctor. There is a myriad of treatments available that can help you manage associated symptoms easily. Going through any mental distress doesn’t make you inferior or less of a human; mental health conditions are more common than you think. Don’t isolate yourself in a room with intrusive thoughts; the world is waiting for you. Be a warrior, not a worrier.

FAQs:

1. How do I know the difference between anxiety and stress?

Both terms, anxiety and stress, are often used interchangeably. However, both are different experiences and are caused by different factors. For instance, stress is seen as a reaction to an external trigger that makes you frustrated or anxious, and anxiety is a persistent fear and worry that can even occur in the absence of an external trigger.

2. Can stress lead to anxiety?

Yes, stress can trigger anxiety and even an anxiety disorder. Stress is often seen as a natural reaction to a challenging situation or event, which could be both short-term and long-term.

3. Are the symptoms of stress and anxiety the same?

Both anxiety and stress may share a wide range of similar symptoms. People under stress often experience symptoms such as irritability, anger, fatigue, digestive problems, difficulty sleeping, etc. On the other hand, you may feel a few additional symptoms while going through anxiety, such as tingling, numbness, brain fog, a feeling of impending doom, etc.

4. How can I tell if I’m experiencing anxiety or just stressed?

Anxiety and stress may present many similar symptoms. However, they often differ in their source and duration. Stress is usually caused by an external event, such as a deadline or an upcoming exam. As the trigger resolves, so does the stress. On the other hand, anxiety is an ongoing feeling of worry and fear that may occur even in the absence of an apparent external cause.