Stress and anxiety. The dreaded two that have become part and parcel of modern life. Social media, poor sleep habits, poor work habits and divorce litigation, in fact any form of litigation, can easily bring on the dreaded two.
It’s important to understand what stress and anxiety are and what they do to us so we can try and avoid them at all costs when they come knocking instead of letting them in so they can make themselves at home.
A lot of people don’t realise that these two are not the same. Stress and anxiety appear to be the same as they share many symptoms however, their origins are very different. And this fact not many people know.
So let us explain both stress and anxiety to you.
Stress
What is stress?
Stress is something that our body and mind bring on as a response to an external factor(s) in your life. It occurs when we feel threatened, pressured, angry, scared, nervous, or worried about something.
It can be a feeling we experience, a physical tension or an emotional upheaval.
Stress will subside once the external factor that caused it has gone or been sorted.
What are the symptoms of stress?
Although stress is a mental ailment, there are many physical symptoms that manifest in your body from headaches, uneasiness, fatigue, chest pains, high blood pressure, indigestion, heartburn, and lack of sleep.
How can you get rid of stress?
As stress is caused by an external factor(s) the best way to get rid of stress is to remove the external factor(s), deal with it, sort it out or resolve it. You might think that you can just push whatever is bothering you far to the back of your mind, but if you do this you will have to learn to manage, cope and deal with your stress to minimise the damage it can do to your body and overall well being.
How can you manage stress?
If you find that the external factors that are causing your stress are not easy to resolve and will be in your life for quite some time then you will need to do things to help your body and mind cope with the symptoms of stress that you are experiencing. If you don’t take the steps to take care of yourself, you will fall ill. Some of the things you can do to relieve the symptoms of stress are:
Regular Physical exercise.
Regular Breathing exercises.
Get a good night’s sleep.
If you’re religious, go to church or say a prayer.
Drink herbal tea.
Have some ‘me’ time.
Meditation.
Do yoga.
Swimming.
Listen to calming music.
Good nutrition.
Manage social media time.
Talk to a friend.
Limit alcohol and stimulants
Spend time with your pet.
Ask for help.
Take a herbal supplement.
Anxiety
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is something that our body and mind bring on as a response to stress. Therefore, anxiety is a response to an internal factor.
Stress brings about and can act as a trigger for anxiety.
Anxiety is a persistent feeling of worry, uneasiness, and fear due to stress.
Anxiety can continue once the stress has been sorted out and resolved. Anxiety can, if not managed can turn into an anxiety disorder or a mental health issue.
The following are anxiety issues:
- Phobia.
- PTSD.
- Panic issues.
- Social anxiety
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
What are the symptoms of anxiety?
The symptoms of anxiety are panic attacks. Panic attacks can bring on breathing difficulties, chest pain, sweating, increased heart rate, feel tense, restlessness, and nervousness
Dizziness, palpitations, tiredness, and stomach aches are also symptoms of anxiety.
How can you get rid of anxiety?
Anxiety should go away after the stress that caused the anxiety has been resolved or removed. However, in some cases the anxiety stays and can persist. In other cases a reminder of the original stress factor can bring on anxiety or the anxiety can bring on further health issues. There are a few recommended ways to get rid of anxiety and they are:
- Psychotherapy sessions.
- Counselling
- Breathing exercises
How can you manage anxiety?
For whatever reasons if you find that you are finding it impossible to remove stress and therefore anxiety from your life then you will need to manage your anxiety to stop yourself falling ill and developing further diseases. Some really good ways to manage your anxiety are:
- A healthy lifestyle.
- Limit your caffeine intake.
- Go for a walk/fresh air.
- Stay in the present moment
- Slow breathing techniques.
- Spend time with your pet.
- Exercise
- Do yoga
- Take a herbal supplement.
- Watch a comedy show.
How long does anxiety last if untreated?
Anxiety can last anything from a few months to many years if left untreated. Either try and get rid of your anxiety but if you cannot then at least manage it.
If you would like to share your experiences of stress and anxiety please let us know on our forum and social media! Share some of your thoughts with others and start a conversation.
DISCLAIMER
Before you start any new diet, health programme, exercise routine, and ingest or topically use any oil, vitamin, mineral, product or compound, it is very important to consult your doctor, therapist or do a patch test to make sure you do not have any adverse reactions.
We do not offer any form of medical or psychological advice. The information in our wellbeing articles are offered for educational purposes only. Our wellbeing articles are not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease. Thank you.
