Stress vs Anxiety: How to Tell Them Apart
- revivalht
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
When life gets busy, it’s normal to feel pressure. A deadline, a tough conversation, or a big change can all create stress. Sometimes, though, the uneasy feeling remains even after the pressure passes. Worry keeps looping, sleep feels light, and your body stays on alert for no clear reason. That lingering pattern is often described as anxiety.
In this article we’ll gently clarify the difference, offer simple ways to cope, and explain how hypnotherapy can support calmer thinking and breathing—all in plain Australian English and without medical claims.
We support clients online across Australia and locally in Perth, WA.
Stress and Anxiety: What They Are
Stress (short‑term, event‑based).
Stress is a natural response to a specific challenge. You might notice tight shoulders, a faster heartbeat, or quicker breathing before a presentation or while juggling tasks. When the challenge ends and you have time to recover, the sensations usually settle.
Anxiety (more persistent, less tied to one event).
Anxiety can feel similar in the body—tension, restlessness, racing thoughts—but it tends to linger and sometimes shows up even without a clear trigger. The mind can stay busy, scanning for “what ifs,” and the body may remain keyed up even on quiet days.
A practical rule of thumb: stress is often a short‑term spike with a clear cause; anxiety can be a longer‑lasting pattern with less obvious triggers.
How to Tell the Difference
Here’s a quick comparison, then we’ll unpack each point.
Trigger | Duration | Body sensations | Thought patterns | Relief pattern | When to seek help | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stress | Clear, identifiable (e.g., deadline, conflict | Short-term; fades after trigger | Tension, faster heartbeat, shallow breathing | “Once this is over, I’ll feel better” | Eases when trigger ends or after rest | If it’s constant, overwhelming, or impacts daily life |
Anxiety | Often unclear or persistent; can appear without cause | Ongoing; lingers for weeks / months | Restlessness, chest tightness, dizziness, GI upset | “Something’s wrong” / catastrophic “what-ifs” | Doesn’t fully ease when situation changes | If symptoms last >2 weeks or limit work / relationships |
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Triggers
Stress usually has a clear cause (deadline, conflict, busy week). Anxiety can show up even when nothing obvious is happening—or linger long after a stressor is gone.
Duration and Timing
Stress tends to fade when the situation changes. Anxiety sticks around for weeks or months and can feel like a background hum you can’t switch off.
Body Sensations
Stress: muscle tension, faster heartbeat, shallow breathing.
Anxiety: restlessness, chest tightness, dizziness, stomach/GI upset—often with a sense of unease.
Thought Patterns
Stress: “Once this is over, I’ll feel better.”
Anxiety: looping what-ifs, catastrophising, and a vague “something’s wrong” feeling that’s hard to shake.
Relief Patterns
Simple recovery (a walk, a shower, a night of sleep) often settles Stress, it eases with rest, resolution, or time out. Anxiety doesn’t fully settle when the situation changes—which is why targeted techniques (breathing, grounding, guided relaxation) help.
When to Seek Help
If symptoms last more than two weeks, feel intense or frequent, or interfere with work, relationships or sleep, it’s time to get support. In Australia, speak with your GP or call Lifeline 13 11 14 if you need immediate help.
Gentle Ways to Cope (Works for Both)
Breathing basics
Try a slow exhale focus: breathe in naturally through the nose; breathe out slightly longer through pursed lips. Aim for 4–6 breaths per minute for 2–3 minutes. Longer exhales signal safety to the nervous system and can soften tension.
Grounding with the senses
Look around and name: five things you can see, four you can feel, three you can hear, two you can smell, one you can taste. This anchors attention in the present and interrupts rumination.
Reduce the “total load”
Small changes help: drink water regularly, create mini breaks between tasks, and keep a consistent bedtime. Light movement, daylight, and short tech‑free pockets can all lower overall pressure.
Thought hygiene
Notice “always/never” thinking and swap it for gentler language: “right now,” “often,” “sometimes.” Write worries down and set a short “worry window” later so your brain doesn’t keep chasing them all day.
Connection
Share how you’re feeling with someone you trust. Naming the feeling out loud often reduces its intensity.
How Hypnotherapy Can Help
Hypnotherapy is a guided relaxation and focused attention process. In sessions, you learn how to enter a calm, receptive state where the mind can practise helpful scripts—like slower breathing, steadier focus, and kinder self‑talk. Over time, these skills become easier to access in everyday life.
Here’s how clients often use hypnotherapy skills alongside other supports:
Calming overthinking. In a relaxed state, suggestions focus on slowing mental loops, returning to one thought at a time, and building confidence in letting worries pass without chasing them.
Steadier breathing. You practise rhythmic breathing while relaxed, so it’s easier to recall during busy moments.
Sleep support. Gentle pre‑sleep routines can be rehearsed: soft body scans, imagery that signals safety, and cues to switch from planning to rest.
Confidence and self‑kindness. Many people find it easier to speak to themselves kindly when relaxed, which supports change without self‑criticism.
Hypnotherapy does not replace medical care. It’s a practical, non‑judgmental way to build calm‑state skills you can apply between sessions.
Related Reading & Support
The following may also help in determining if it is Stress vs Anxiety you are struggling with:
Anxiety & Stress Hypnotherapy — how sessions help and what to expect
Blog hub — more articles on anxiety, stress and calm-breathing techniques
Beyond Blue (Australia) — clear information and support options for anxiety and stress
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is stress always bad?
A. Short bursts can mobilise you to meet a challenge. The key is recovery afterward. If the “on” switch never flips to “rest,” supportive habits can help.
Q. Can anxiety feel physical even when I’m not “worried”?
A. Yes. The body can stay activated (tight chest, shallow breathing) even when thoughts are quiet. Body‑based practices like slow breathing and grounding can help.
Q. How many hypnotherapy sessions do people usually have?
A. It varies. Some people work on a focused goal over several sessions; others prefer periodic support. We’ll discuss what suits you during a Free Discovery Session.
Q. When should I seek further help?
A. If feelings are intense, long‑lasting, or disrupting daily life, consider contacting your GP or a qualified mental‑health professional.
About the author
Steve Hebble, Clinical Hypnotherapist (Perth, WA). Steve works with clients experiencing anxiety and stress, offering calm, structured sessions and take-home skills to support change.
Approach & focus
Anxiety and stress relief
Calmer breathing and sleep support
Practical techniques you can use at home
What a session looks like
Short check-in on symptoms and goals
Guided relaxation with focused suggestions
Quick techniques to use during the week
Disclaimer: Information here is general in nature. It does not replace medical advice. If you’re concerned about safety or symptoms are severe, speak with your GP or call Lifeline 13 11 14.
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