Are You Stressed, Anxious or Both?
In our American language today we sometimes use stress and anxiety to mean the same thing but in all actuality, they are different and knowing the difference will ensure that you take the steps necessary to find relief. The reason why they are often used interchangeably is because there is a very fine line between the two. Both are emotional responses but stress is typically caused by an external event or trigger. Stress can be caused by work or school related projects or deadlines, or our response to an upcoming move or change in location, job etc.
Anxiety on the other hand is persistent excessive worry created by your thought patterns which does not go away once the “stressor” event has passed. Both impose a physical reaction in the body. Anxiety causes symptoms like, rapid breathing, sweaty palms, shortness of breath, restlessness and panic attacks. Symptoms of stress are mental and physical such as irritability, anger, fatigue, muscle pain, digestive trouble, stomach aches and difficulty sleeping. Over time under chronic stress much more severe health issues are likely to develop. It is important to understand also that a person can have stress without anxiety but stress is a common trigger for anxiety. Very rarely is anxiety helpful or healthy, therefore, it is important to recognize the onset. Stress, however, is our bodies natural response to a threat and, therefore, in short bursts it is necessary and needed. For example, we need the stress response in the event you’re walking down the street and a sketchy person comes running up to you quickly. The stress response in that moment activates fight or flight mode for survival. This enables you to act quickly to protect yourself. Without our built in stress response we would not be near as capable of protecting ourselves against physical threats.
The problem that we see in today’s society is that we are not typically under physical threat or danger but often we are under stress from the constant demands of the world we live in. When daily stress is not managed properly it turns into chronic stress which in turn can spark anxiety and also manifests in physical illness. As a matter of fact, research has estimated as many as 90% of illness and disease is stress related. To combat chronic stress, it is important to shift your mindsets about challenges and struggles in life. The first thing to remember is we have a good God who is in control and knows our needs. He also gives us wisdom to navigate challenges and hard decisions that we face almost daily. Keep focused on the fact that unless you are literally under an immediate threat of danger, the stress that you are experiencing is not the end of the world and it will pass if and when you recognize it and take proper action. Secondly, learn to be aware of your body’s signs of anxiety. Learn to act on them quickly to resolve that anxiety by choosing to take action in situations where you have control or in situations when you know it is not in your control, resolve to let it go and grab ahold of your faith. Jody McClure AACC Life Coach
