04/22/2025
Happy Earth day everyone! Just git back from Mauii and still enjoying the powerful medicine that comes from the island that is nature 🌺
This year felt like it took a little longer to unwind from stress than normal. After a few days when I felt more chill it got me thinking about the difference between stress and anxiety. And being aware of what is happening for you is key to feeling better. Knowing if it’s stress or anxiety when you are feeling tense. Here is the difference:
Stress
• Cause: Typically linked to a specific, external situation (e.g. a deadline, argument, money trouble).
• Duration: Usually temporary—goes away once the stressor is resolved.
• Feelings: Overwhelmed, irritable, tense, frustrated.
• Body: Muscle tension, headaches, fatigue, trouble sleeping.
• Mind: Racing thoughts about the specific situation; motivation might increase (in small doses).
Anxiety
• Cause: Often internal, persistent, and not always tied to a clear or immediate trigger.
• Duration: Longer-lasting—can persist even after the “stressor” is gone.
• Feelings: Constant worry, dread, uneasiness, fear.
• Body: Similar to stress—plus restlessness, nausea, heart palpitations.
• Mind: “What if?” thinking, catastrophizing, hard to calm down or feel safe even when things seem okay.
One way to differentiate:
Ask yourself, “Is there a specific thing I’m reacting to, and will it likely go away soon?” If yes, it’s probably stress. If the worry feels generalized or sticks around no matter what, it leans more toward anxiety.
