What is the Difference Between Stress and Mild Anxiety?
In this article
What is stress?
Stress can be caused by a whole range of circumstances, from an everyday event such as running late to work or a tiff with your spouse, to more significant stresses like money and finances, difficult life decisions or a traumatic event like the passing of a loved one. No matter the severity, these circumstances can all be challenging and overwhelming; our bodies and brains process them as such. This is known as the ‘fight or flight’ response and triggers a cascade of stress hormones, including epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) and cortisol to produce well-orchestrated bodily changes.1 Stress evolved as a survival mechanism, enabling quicker reaction time in dangerous situations.
What are the symptoms of stress? 7
The physical signs of stress include:
- Release of adrenaline
- Changes in sleep patterns or persistent fatigue
- Shifts in appetite
- Headaches
- Muscle tension
- An upset stomach
- Withdrawing socially
- Constant worry or feeling on edge
- Trouble concentrating or staying focused
- Mood changes
What is mild anxiety?
Mild anxiety can make it feel like something bad is just around the corner, even when there’s no clear reason why. It can create a constant sense of danger or unease and may lead you to avoid certain situations or places that trigger those feelings.8
The situations in which mild anxiety can be helpful extend beyond just physically dangerous situations — like coming face to face with a bear — but also more common circumstances; essentially anything that can affect health, relationships, property, reputation, and skill can trigger mild anxiety.
On average, 1 in 4 Australians (1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men) will experience mild anxiety at some stage in their life.3
What are the symptoms of mild anxiety?
Mild anxiety is often accompanied by a range of physical sensations such as heart palpitations, cold and clammy hands, shortness of breath and nervousness. Some common symptoms of mild anxiety include:8
Psychological symptoms of mild anxiety:
- Worry
- Difficulty sleeping
- Trouble concentrating
Physical symptoms of mild anxiety:
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- A racing heart
- Sweating or feeling hot
- A churning stomach
- Trembling
- A dry mouth
What can happen when we are too stressed and anxious
Sleeping difficulties
Stress and mild anxiety are associated with sleep problems.5 It can be a case of the ‘chicken and the egg’. Are you having trouble sleeping because you’re anxious, or are you anxious because you can’t sleep?
Fatigue and lack of concentration
Mental and physical fatigue is a common symptom of both stress and mild anxiety. This could be because a stressed or anxious body is in a high alert state and uses a lot of energy or it could be related to a lack of sleep.
When we feel overwhelmed, it can make it difficult to concentrate on even the simplest tasks.
Meanwhile, not being able to think clearly can often make the problems causing our stress or mild anxiety worse.
Digestive complaints
Stress and mild anxiety may start in the mind but will often manifest in the body. Our digestive function is partly controlled by our nervous system, and stress and mild anxiety may cause problems with bowel movement, motility and sensation.6
How Nature’s Own can help
If you are feeling mildly anxious Nature’s Own Mild Anxiety Ashwagandha may help relieve the symptoms of mild anxiety. Nature’s Own Mild Anxiety Ashwagandha has been specifically formulated with the ingredient Sensoril®, a form of Ashwagandha that relieves the symptoms of mild anxiety. Vitamin B6 can support the function of the nervous system.
Because some amount of stress and mild anxiety in life is unavoidable, it is good to know that there are many supplements available to help our bodies cope with stressful situations and some of the associated and often uncomfortable symptoms. These mild anxiety and symptomatic stress relief supplements may include herbs, vitamins, minerals and other natural ingredients.
- Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) — Siberian ginseng may help maintain physical performance.
- B complex vitamins — are essential for various bodily functions. Most of the B vitamins are involved in the production of energy as well as the healthy functioning of our nervous system, which may be beneficial during times of stress. Several B vitamins are involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters (or chemical messengers).
- Lactium — is a hydrolysed milk protein enriched with a bioactive peptide that may help to relieve symptoms of stress in adults. Lactium has relaxing properties and might be a beneficial stress relief supplement.
- St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) — It supports healthy emotional and mood balance, relieving symptoms of mild anxiety.
- Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) — has been traditionally used in Western herbal medicine for a very long time for its calming effect on the nervous system.
- Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) — Rhodiola is a valuable stress relief supplement because it helps reduce mental fatigue, supports mental focus. and mental function in healthy individuals.
References
[1] https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response
[2] Marks I, Nesse R. Fear and fitness: An evolutionary analysis of anxiety disorders. Ethology and Sociobiology. 1994;15(5-6):247-261.
[3] https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/anxiety
[4] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml
[5] https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/sleep-disorders
[6] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/anxiety-poop
[7] Healthdirect Australia, 2024. Stress. Healthdirect. Available at: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/stress
[8] Healthdirect Australia, 2024. Anxiety. Healthdirect. Available at: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/anxiety
