The Difference Between Anxiety, Stress & Worry
Anxiety is an emotional response and a biological reaction that tells us that something isn’t quite right.
It can show up in our bodies and minds. Often the stress felt is out of proportion to the impact of the situation. Anxiety lasting over six months that impairs daily functioning may indicate that an anxiety disorder may be present. Examples of anxiety disorders include Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Social Phobia or Social Anxiety Disorder. If you’re experiencing symptoms of excessive worry about everyday situations, catastrophic thinking, restlessness, trouble concentrating, heart palpitations, insomnia, and/or avoiding places or people then you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
Stress is considered an emotional response, but the likely cause is an external trigger like a deadline for school or work. If you’re overwhelmed and feel unable to cope, you may be suffering from stress. Since stress is usually short term, these feelings will resolve. Stress can cause mental and physical symptoms including anger, irritability, fatigue, digestive issues, and difficulty sleeping.
Worry is generally in our minds, specific, grounded in reality, temporary, and doesn’t impair daily function. Worry is usually short term. If you’re worrying about something, your brain is likely trying to make sense of a real and present danger.
Anxiety, stress and worry are indicators that something isn’t right or needs attention but this isn’t all bad. It can actually motivate us to make healthy changes in our life.
Here are a few ideas to help to reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress, and worry:
1) Deep breathing
2) Mindfulness and meditation
3) Practice self-compassion
4) Share your fears with family and friends
5) Practice gratitude
6) Journal your emotions
7) Challenge your thoughts to decide if they are true or helpful
8) Expose yourself to what brings anxiety to desensitize and build tolerance
9) Turn off the news, social media, or anything that increases stress, anxiety, or worry
10) Incorporate self-care in your life by focusing on nutrition, movement/exercise, and maintaining consistent sleep
11) Therapy, counseling, massage therapy
Here at Atlanta Wellness Collective, we want to help. To talk to someone or schedule an appointment, contact us or request an appointment today.
This blog post was written by Kim Ostrander, LPC.
Disclaimer: This blog is not intended to substitute professional therapeutic advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about your health concerns and before starting or stopping therapies. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct professional advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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