Is it Stress or Anxiety?

Sometimes it is hard to figure out whether or not we are experiencing stress or anxiety. While both are emotional triggers, stress is typically caused by an external trigger such as meeting a work deadline, getting into an argument with a loved one or chronic illness. 

Mental and physical symptoms are also present when someone is under stress. Someone might feel irritable, angry, fatigue, muscle pain, difficulty sleeping and gastrointestinal concerns. However, with anxiety, a person experiences persistent, excessive worries that do not go away even when the stressor is removed. 

Physical activity, good sleep hygiene and eating a nutritious diet are good starting points to help ease mild stress and anxiety. Other coping mechanisms include:

1. Meditate: Research has shown that even just a few minutes of mindfulness meditation will help ease psychological stress and anxiety. To begin, allot five minutes aside during your day in a quiet place to breathe. Stay in the present moment. If stray negative thoughts intrude, acknowledge they are there and refocus your mind.  It is okay to have mental wavering, do not be too hard on yourself if you find yourself having to refocus often. 

2. Take a moment in nature: Getting outside in the fresh air and seeing green space has been proven to greatly increase one’s mood. If you are unable to gets outside, nature videos can have the same effect.
   
3.  Relax your muscles: Stress causes muscle tension that can lead to tension headaches, backaches and general fatigue. Progressive muscle relaxation is an easy way to relieve the tension in the muscles by choosing a muscle group in your body, contract the muscle for five to ten seconds and releasing the tension. (Starting from your lower body working your way up usually works best). Continue this process until you completed all muscle groups.

The Pathways team of professionals has helped thousands of people with anxiety. We are Dedicated to effective and compassionate care for individuals with mental health challenges