05/13/2026
Stress vs. Anxiety (what’s the difference?)
Life can be stressful, and everyone feels stress from time to time.
Stress is the physical or mental response to an external cause (like a deadline, illness, or conflict).
Anxiety is your body’s reaction to stress and can occur even if there’s no current threat.
Often, stress is tied to a specific situation and may ease once the situation is resolved.
Anxiety** tends to feel more persistent, a sense of apprehension or dread that doesn’t go away, can be constant, and may interfere with daily life.
Both stress and anxiety can affect your mind and body.
Things like excessive worry, tension, headaches/body pain, high blood pressure, and sleep problems can show up with either.
If your symptoms won’t go away or are interfering with everyday life, it may be time to talk with a professional. If you’re in immediate distress or thinking about hurting yourself, call or text 988.
Source: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/so-stressed-out-fact-sheet
