09/19/2025
Stress and anxiety are often used interchangeablyâbut theyâre not the same thing. Understanding the difference helps you know how to cope.
⥠Stress
⢠Triggered by external pressure (deadlines, conflict, big changes)
⢠Usually goes away once the situation resolves
⢠Can sometimes boost performance (like prepping for a big presentation)
đŞ Anxiety
⢠Internalâyour brain and body stay âon high alertâ even without an obvious trigger
⢠Doesnât always fade when the situation ends
⢠Feels heavier, often with physical symptoms like racing heart, restlessness, or insomnia
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Tip for Stress: Break it down. Instead of staring at a massive project, pick one small piece to finish today. Example: âSend that one emailâ or âDraft just the intro.â
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Tip for Anxiety: Ground yourself in the present. Try 5-4-3-2-1: name 5 things you see, 4 things you feel, 3 things you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste. Example: Looking around your desk and noticing textures, sounds, and colors.
đą Both stress and anxiety are commonâand both are manageable with the right tools. Therapy can help you sort out which youâre experiencing and how to respond.
đŹ Which one feels more familiar to you latelyâstress, anxiety, or a bit of both?
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