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Stress & Anxiety Relief.
Stress is a
biological term which refers to the consequences of the failure of a human or
animal to respond appropriately to emotional or physical threats to the
organism, whether actual or imagined. It includes a state of alarm and
adrenaline production, short-term resistance as a coping mechanism, and
exhaustion. Common stress symptoms include irritability, muscular tension,
inability to concentrate and a variety of physical reactions, such as headaches
and elevated heart rate.
Anxiety is a psychological and physiological state characterized by cognitive,
somatic, emotional, and behavioral components. These components combine to
create an unpleasant feeling that is typically associated with uneasiness, fear,
or worry.
Anxiety is a generalized mood condition that occurs without an identifiable
triggering stimulus. As such, it is distinguished from fear, which occurs in the
presence of an observed threat. Additionally, fear is related to the specific
behaviors of escape and avoidance, whereas anxiety is the result of threats that
are perceived to be uncontrollable or unavoidable.
Another view is that anxiety is "a future-oriented mood state in which one is
ready or prepared to attempt to cope with upcoming negative events"
suggesting that it is a distinction between future vs. present dangers that
divides anxiety and fear.
Anxiety is considered to be a normal reaction to stress. It may help a person to
deal with a difficult situation, for example at work or at school, by prompting
one to cope with it. When anxiety becomes excessive, it may fall under the
classification of an anxiety disorder.