What’s the Difference Between Stress and Anxiety?

Although they can both become chronic in nature, stress and anxiety are both natural human emotions. According to research, situations that are unpredictable and beyond a person’s control are more likely to cause chronic stress, which is also true for anxiety disorders. Keep reading to learn about the differences and similarities between these two conditions.


By Editorial Team and supported by We Level Up FL, referred to as We Level Up Tamarac FL
Editor Yamilla Francese
Clinically Reviewed by Lauren Barry, LMFT, MCAP, QS
Medically Reviewed by Ali Nikbakht, PsyD
Updated on November 9, 2023 — Editorial Policy | Research Policy

We Level Up FL Mental Health Center Tips To Cope With Stress and Anxiety

✅ Deep Breathing: Practice breathing exercises to calm the mind and reduce stress.

✅ Stay Active: Engage in regular physical activity to release endorphins and alleviate anxiety.

✅ Mindfulness Meditation: Incorporate mindfulness techniques to stay present and manage anxious thoughts.

✅ Reach Out: Seek support from friends, family, or a mental health professional to help cope with stress and anxiety.

The use of alcohol or recreational drugs can exacerbate mood swings and destabilize mood in individuals with Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder.
The use of alcohol or recreational drugs can exacerbate mood swings and destabilize mood in individuals with Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder.

Can Stress Turn into Anxiety?

Stress can sometimes evolve into anxiety or exacerbate pre-existing anxiety. When stress is prolonged or becomes chronic, it can lead to persistent anxiety.

This transition can occur as people struggle to cope with ongoing stressors, and their bodies and minds remain in a state of high alert. As a result, the constant stress response can develop into generalized anxiety, with symptoms such as chronic worry and apprehension, even in the absence of immediate stressors.

Can Anxiety Turn to Stress?

Stress can be caused by anxiety, but anxiety itself doesn’t cause stress. Anxiety and stress are two different but related feelings. Feelings of unease, fear, or apprehension are common signs of anxiety.

Anxiety is the emotional and physiological reaction to a threat or worry. Stress, on the other hand, is how the body reacts to a task or demand, whether it’s mind, emotion, or body. Anxiety is one thing that can cause stress, but it can also come from other parts of life, like work, relationships, or pressures from outside sources.

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What Causes Stress and Anxiety?

Various factors can cause stress and anxiety, and they often interact with each other. Here are some common causes and triggers for stress and anxiety:

  • Life Events: Significant life changes, such as moving, changing jobs, getting married, or facing a loss, can lead to stress and anxiety.
  • Workplace: Job-related stressors, including excessive workload, job insecurity, or coworker conflicts, can contribute to stress and anxiety.
  • Financial Issues: Money problems, such as debt, financial instability, or unexpected expenses, can be a source of stress and anxiety.
  • Health Concerns: Worries about health, chronic illnesses, or medical conditions can cause anxiety.
  • Trauma: Past traumatic experiences or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can result in both stress and anxiety.
  • Family and Relationships: Conflict, family problems, or difficulties in personal relationships can be emotionally distressing.
  • Genetics: A family history of anxiety or mood disorders may increase the risk of developing stress and anxiety.
  • Personality: Certain personality traits, such as perfectionism or excessive worrying, can make a person more susceptible to anxiety.
  • Chemical Imbalance: Imbalances in brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) can contribute to anxiety disorders.
  • Caffeine and Substance Use: Excessive consumption of caffeine or the use of certain substances can trigger or worsen anxiety symptoms.
  • Environmental Factors: Living in a high-stress environment, exposure to violence, or living in a noisy, chaotic area can elevate stress levels.
  • Lack of Coping Strategies: Inadequate coping mechanisms or difficulty managing stress can lead to increased anxiety.

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Different Ways to Manage Stress and Anxiety

There are techniques you can employ to make stress and anxiety more tolerable because they are common occurrences. Pay attention to how your body and mind react to situations that cause tension and worry. You can predict your response the next time this scenario happens, which might make it less upsetting.

The signs of stress and anxiety may be lessened with certain lifestyle adjustments. These methods can be used in conjunction with anxiety medications.

Over The Counter Medicine For Anxiety And Stress

  • Antihistamines. Most often used to treat allergies, antihistamines typically cause side effects of drowsiness or sedation.
  • 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) 5-HTP, sometimes called tryptophan, is a compound found naturally in the body.
  • Magnesium.
  • CBD.
  • Ashwagandha.
  • Kava.
  • Valerian.
Although they can both become chronic in nature, stress and anxiety are both natural human emotions.
Stress vs Anxiety: Although they can both become chronic in nature, stress and anxiety are both natural human emotions.

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How to Treat Anxiety and Stress?

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are available for managing symptoms of mild anxiety and stress. However, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional before using any OTC medication to ensure safety and suitability. Some OTC options for anxiety and stress include:

  1. Herbal Supplements: Certain herbal remedies are believed to have anxiety-relieving properties. These include valerian root, passionflower, kava, and lavender. Always follow dosing instructions and consult a healthcare provider, especially if taking other medications.
  2. L-Theanine: This amino acid in tea leaves may promote relaxation and reduce stress. It’s available in supplement form.
  3. Melatonin: While primarily used for sleep, melatonin supplements may help manage stress and anxiety by improving sleep quality.
  4. Magnesium: Magnesium supplements may have a calming effect on the nervous system. Magnesium glycinate or citrate are common forms.
  5. Vitamins and Minerals: Adequate intake of vitamins and minerals, particularly B vitamins, can support the nervous system and overall well-being.
  6. Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids: Some OTC sleep aids contain antihistamines that can induce drowsiness, potentially helping with stress-related sleep issues.
  7. Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy products, such as lavender or chamomile essential oils, can be used in diffusers to create a calming atmosphere.
  8. Anti-Diarrheal Medications: Some people find relief from physical symptoms of anxiety (like gastrointestinal distress) using antidiarrheal medications like loperamide.

Over-the-counter medicines are usually acceptable for mild, short-term worry and stress. If your symptoms last a long time or are very bad, you should talk to a doctor. They can help choose the right solutions, such as therapy, prescription drugs, or changes to one’s lifestyle. Also, some over-the-counter vitamins and medicines may not work well with other medicines, so it’s important to talk to a doctor to ensure you’re safe and getting the best results.

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Stress vs Anxiety FAQs

  1. How To Sleep With Stress And Anxiety?

    You can fall asleep by reading, listening to music, taking a hot bath before bed, or practicing deep breathing. Get out of bed and do something soothing till you feel tired if you can’t fall asleep in 20 minutes after turning in (or if you wake up and can’t get back to sleep in 20 minutes).

  2. Can Stress And Anxiety Cause High Blood Pressure?

    Anxiety doesn’t cause long-term high blood pressure (hypertension). However, episodes of stress can cause dramatic, temporary spikes in blood pressure.

  3. Hair Loss Due To Stress And Anxiety: Is it Possible?

    The connection between anxiety and hair loss is complicated and not what you may expect. However, anxiety sometimes contributes to hair loss and sometimes makes it more challenging to stop hair loss from happening.

  4. How to Get Time Off Work for Stress and Anxiety?

    Inform your company’s human resources division that you would like to take a stress leave granted under the FMLA. They will give you the necessary papers, which you must present to your doctor. If you have an anxiety disorder, your psychiatrist will guide you.

  5. Is Stress Anxiety?

    Stress causes both mental and physical symptoms in people, including irritation, rage, exhaustion, muscle pain, digestive issues, and trouble sleeping. Contrarily, anxiety is characterized by excessive worry that persists even in the absence of a stressor.

  6. Can Stress And Anxiety Cause Chest Pain?

    How chest pain results from anxiousness. Your body experiences an adrenaline and cortisol rush when you’re anxious. Your heart rate and blood pressure rapidly increase after these hormones are released. Many people consequently experience chest pain, sweat, or difficulty breathing.

Tips on Coping With Your Anxiety

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Sources
  1. American Academy of Pediatrics. (June 2016). American Academy of Pediatrics supports childhood sleep guidelines. https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/aap/2016/aap-supports-childhood-sleep-guidelines/
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  3. American Psychological Association. (2018), Stress in America, Generation Z. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2018/stress-gen-z.pdf
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  6. National Institute of Mental Health. I’m so stressed out! fact sheet. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/so-stressed-out-fact-sheet#pub3
  7. Smyth, J. M., Johnson, J. A., Auer, B. J., Lehman, E., Talamo, G., & Sciamanna, C.N. (2018). Online positive affect journaling in the improvement of mental distress and well-being in general medical patients with elevated anxiety symptoms: A preliminary randomized controlled trial. JMIR Mental Health, 5(4), Article11290. https://doi.org/10.2196/11290
  8. Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. Effective child therapy. https://effectivechildtherapy.org/
  9. Tan, L., & Martin, G. (2015). Taming the adolescent mind: A randomized controlled trial examining clinical efficacy of an adolescent mindfulness‐based group programme. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 20(1), 49–55. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12057
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