HEALTHY YOU by Judi Sheppard Missett That feeling of being overwhelmed – is it stress or anxiety? Why it’s important you understand the difference We all experience stress from time to time. It’s our human response to an external trigger, like a big presentation or performance review, a traumatic event or life change, such as serious illness, loss of a job, or loss of a loved one through death or divorce. But, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, 31 percent of us find that stress morphs into anxiety, a disorder which can seriously degrade our life and our health. Stress vs anxiety: how they are alike, yet very different In many ways, stress and anxiety can mirror each other in the way our bodies and minds respond to them. Physically, both can create a sense of tension, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, headaches or pain elsewhere, high blood pressure, and interrupted sleep. Mentally, both can cause excessive worry, irritability or uneasiness. The big difference, however, is that stress is generally a reaction to an external cause. Once that outside situation or circumstance is resolved in some way, the stress of it dissipates. For many, stress can be positive if it helps rev-up your ability to pass a test or meet a deadline. Or it can be negative if it causes you to lose sleep, be cranky with others, or function abnormally. But again, stress is typically a short-term problem. Anxiety, on the other hand, is generally internal. It doesn’t go away in the absence of a stress trigger. It can persist for months or even years without help and negatively impact your day-to-day mood and functioning. Over time, anxiety can weaken your immune system and increase your risk for heart disease, asthma or breathing problems, or digestive disorders. Managing Stress vs coping with anxiety Many experts and studies suggest the negative effects of stress can be managed with a variety of healthy options. These include physical activity/exercise (to burn off stress-causing hormones like cortisol and generate mood-boosting endorphins), a nutritious diet (rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish), and improved sleep hygiene (with a consistent, calming pre-bed routine and optimized dark, cool sleep environment.) Further, meditation, time spent in nature, and enjoyable experiences with friends or family also help. Anxiety, however, may require more than the above self-help strategies. If, for example, you’ve experienced excessive, hard-to-control worry for more than six months, or a number of sudden, dizzying panic attacks, or you’ve developed a fearbased phobia which limits your ability to fly, socially interact with others, or leave the house, you may need more therapeutic help to cope. Talking to a mental health professional can define the nature of your anxiety and identify tools and treatment to cope with it. These may range from psychotherapy to medication, to a combination of the two specifically targeted to your anxiety disorder. While everyday stress can be creatively managed, the overwhelm of anxiety requires professional coping strategies. Please know that help and hope are readily available . JUDI SHEPPARD MISSETT is founder and executive chair of Jazzercise. She created the original dance party workout and started the fitness revolution that became Jazzercise. Judi is a member of the Enterprising Women Advisory Board and has been inducted into the Enterprising Women Hall of Fame. She is the recipient of the Enterprising Women Legacy Award and the first Enterprising Women Business Icon Award. Connect and learn more at www.jazzercise.com. TarikVision / Shutterstock.com stress anxiety enterprising Women 107
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzA5OTEy