Stress and anxiety are a natural part of the fight or flight response and the body’s reaction to danger. The purpose of this response is to ensure a person is alert, focused, and ready to deal with a threat. Both stress and anxiety are normal, although they can sometimes overwhelm people. This article explains the differences and similarities between stress and anxiety and looks at treatment and management strategies. It also outlines when someone might benefit from medical attention. Stress and anxiety are both a part of the body’s natural fight or flight response. When someone feels under threat, their body releases stress hormones. Stress hormones cause the heart to beat faster, resulting in more blood pumping to the organs and limbs. This response allows a person to be ready to either fight or run away. They also breathe faster, and their blood pressure goes up. At the same time, a person’s senses become sharper, and their body releases nutrients into the blood to ensure all parts have the energy they need. This process happens really quickly, and experts call it stress. Anxiety is the body’s response to that stress. Many people will recognize anxiety as the feeling of distress, unease, or dread that someone has before a significant event. It keeps them alert and aware. The fight or flight response can kick in when someone faces a physical or emotional, real or perceived threat. While it can be useful, for some people, it can interfere with everyday life. There are many similarities between the symptoms of stress and anxiety. When someone is stressed, they may experience: Stress and anxiety are part of the same bodily reaction and have similar symptoms. That means it can be hard to tell them apart. Stress tends to be short term and in response to a recognized threat. Anxiety can linger and can sometimes seem as if nothing is triggering it. Physical activity can help people to combat stressful situations. This might be a brisk walk, a cycle, or a run. The fluid movements of activities such as yoga and qi gong can also help people to feel calm. Talking about their worries, whether face-to-face, over the phone, or via the internet, can help people to ease stress. People might choose to chat with a friend, partner, family member, or co-worker if it is someone they trust.
