Stress is our response to an external threat, while anxiety is our reaction to stress. Typically, we can overcome stress when we eliminate its source. For example, a tight deadline may cause stress. When you have submitted your task, then your stress will go away. This means that normally, stress is fleeting.
Anxiety is different. Sometimes, the cause of stress has passed, but the anxiety stays on. This is because its source is internal. At times, you can not even point out what is causing it. In simpler terms, anxiety is a persistent worry that might prevent you from carrying out normal day-to-day activities.
Because stress and anxiety are common, we must find ways to reduce them. One way is to perform breathing exercises for stress and anxiety.
How Do Stress and Anxiety Affect Our Health?
A person who is stressed or anxious, or worse, feel them both at once, may experience the following:
- Physical Effects. Stress and anxiety may cause symptoms like sleep deprivation, stomach upset, and headaches. It may also result in muscle pain and chest tightness. They can also experience sweating, increased heart rate, hyperventilation, and trembling.
- Effects in Mood. A person with stress and anxiety may become irritable and easy to anger. Additionally, they may show signs of sadness, restlessness, and lack of motivation. With persistent worry, feelings of nervousness and helplessness might also occur.
- Behavioral Effects. Worse, stress and anxiety may cause a person to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or overeat. They may also show signs of social withdrawal.
To prevent them from soaring to an unmanageable level, we can do some breathing exercises for stress and anxiety.