What’s the difference between anxiety and stress?

Both anxiety and stress are emotional responses. They can also be treated using the same coping mechanisms. A good way to manage either one of them would be a nutritious diet, physical activity, and good sleep hygiene.

Stress has a external trigger and can be short lived. Dealing with a work deadline or having a fight with a loved one are great examples of the short-term triggers of stress. Chronic illness or being unable to work are examples of long-term triggers of stress. People who are under stress experience mental and physical symptoms such as irritability, anger, fatigue, muscle pain, digestive troubles, and difficulty sleeping.

Anxiety is defined by persistent, excessive worries that don’t go away even in the absence of stressors. The set of symptoms of anxiety are almost identical to those of stress. People coping with anxiety experience symptoms, such as irritability, insomnia, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.