When does Stress become Anxiety?

​Over the course of the pandemic, most of us became more stressed and anxious. But even before then, we all know what it is like to be stressed. Stress crosses the line into anxiety when it takes over your life or when you can’t turn the anxious thoughts off, even when the stressor goes away.

WHAT CAN YOU DO WHEN STRESS TURNS INTO ANXIETY?

1. EXAMINE YOUR HABITS

• How much caffeine and nicotine are you consuming? Both are stimulants and will make your anxiety worse.
• What are your eating habits? There are no good or bad foods, but if you are not eating consistently throughout the day, or you eating a lot of sugary carbs, your blood sugar might be on a rollercoaster which could contribute to anxiety.
• What is your relationship with your body and with movement? Where do you carry your tension?

2. NOTICE WHEN THE ANXIETY IS BETTER OR WORSE

When are you most relaxed and when are you most stressed? Are there people in your life who contribute to your stress? If so, how can you manage those relationships differently to protect yourself? If it’s work or school, what is it specifically that contributes? Are there places where your thoughts are getting stuck? These are clues that can help to empower you to manage your anxiety differently rather than let it run away with you.

3. CAN YOU COPE DIFFERENTLY?

Online or in-person, it can be such a source of solace to interact with others who feel similar to you. Joining a support group will remove the sense of being alone or uniquely flawed. It will allow you the opportunity to feel accepted and learn from others. And a support group can also guide you into finding the kind of help you need (see below).

CAN THERAPY HELP?

YES! Research shows that therapy is an effective first line treatment for anxiety. You can get the guidance you need by working with an experienced therapist. Regular sessions will help you better understand what triggers your anxiety and skills on how to cope with it differently.

For a full list of mental health providers committed to helping you, please visit our provider directory. 

For more mental health tips, follow @ColumbusBehavioralHealth on social media.