Lots of people tend to use the terms “anxiety” and “stress” interchangeably, but they are actually two distinct conditions. Stress is a reaction to a stimulus, which can be internal or external. You may feel stress because you feel frustrated with something (like waiting in line behind a slow person) or when you worry that you won’t meet expectations (such as missing a deadline).

Anxiety, on the other hand, is a sense of dread, or fear and nervousness. It can be brought on by negative thoughts and expectations, or as a response to stress. You may feel anxious virtually all of the time and not know why, or your feelings may be a response to something you are nervous about, like an upcoming exam. Read More→