Stress and anxiety are classed as two feelings which are commonly grouped together by people due to the similar symptoms that are experienced. Chances are that you’ve had one or the other, or even both, at some point in your life. But what are the differences between stress and anxiety? How often can stress and anxiety be present? How can you combat these issues? And how can therapy help?There are so many questions that you may have about stress disorders and anxiety disorders. So, it’s best to be clued up on the differences and know how to handle each of them separately. Below I’ve answered some of the questions I am most frequently asked about stress and anxiety:

What are the differences between stress and anxiety?

Stress is the body's reaction to feeling threatened or under pressure.Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe.Stress is caused by external factors, while anxiety is a type of excessive worrying which doesn’t go away even if the cause of the anxiety is absent. As a result, anxiety can lead to panic attacks, depression, headaches, irritability, breathing issues, a pounding heart, upset stomach, and more. Stress can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes as well.Stress symptoms may include the following:

• being irritable and snappy,
• difficulty concentrating,
• headaches or dizziness,
• muscle tension or pain,
• sleeping too much or too little,
• struggling to make decisions.

Anxiety symptoms may include the following:

• Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation),
• Feeling nervous, restless or tense,
• Having an increased heart rate,
• Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom,
• Sweating.

How often can stress and anxiety be present?

Stress symptoms and anxiety symptoms can both be experienced at the same time, so stress and anxiety can go hand-in-hand. If you’ve experienced a stressful event or experience, this could trigger feelings of anxiety. However, the same cannot be said for the other way around. Stress and anxiety also involve mostly identical symptoms, which include trouble sleeping, digestive issues, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, irritability, or anger.If left unmanaged or untreated, this combination of stress and anxiety can take its toll on you both mentally and physically. Stress might be present by itself at one time. But anxiety might be present on its own at another time. In other cases, both can be present at exactly the same time. There aren't any rules to this. However, stress and anxiety are closely linked, so it is not uncommon to experience them both at the same time.

How can you combat these feelings?

There are many ways to ease stress. For example, by eating and drinking properly, you can combat stress effectively in the long run. By exercising regularly, you are more likely to relieve stress symptoms by releasing endorphins to counteract the negative feelings. Tobacco and nicotine place more stress on your body, rather than relieve it. So stopping smoking can also help relieve your symptoms.  Relaxation and meditation techniques can also help you, so spend time doing what you love most.There are many ways to cope with anxiety. For example, have you ever questioned your thought pattern? Negative thoughts can affect the way you think, so you need to challenge them and take back control. Deep breathing is also another way to cope with anxiety. By simply breathing in and out, you are actively slowing your heart rate, which will help you calm down. Other techniques like meditation and journaling can also help you to become calm and refocus.

How can therapy help?

Along with these stress easing and anxiety coping techniques, therapy for stress and anxiety is also a highly effective method of treatment. Therapy for stress or anxiety will ensure that you deal with the underlying cause of these issues in a productive way, allowing you to talk about your feelings and come to a better understanding of them. Following this, you can learn useful coping skills that allow you to deal with the stress or anxiety that you are experiencing. By getting to the bottom of the problem through therapy, you can come out the other side feeling like a new person. Everyone has specific triggers and feelings that require equally specific treatment. Therapists will be able to work with you to come up with an effective strategy and help implement it during your sessions together. This is invaluable.

Who to turn to for therapy in Warrington, Cheshire.

Therapy can be scary, but it’s incredibly powerful and effective nonetheless. Visit my website today to learn more about my Zoom or in-person appointments. If you are experiencing feelings of stress or anxiety, then therapy may be exactly what you need in order to start feeling better.Get in touch to book an initial consultation today!