Lots of people tend to use the words “stress” and “anxiety” interchangeably, but they are in fact two distinct conditions. Stress is a reaction to a stimulus, either internal or external. You may feel stress when you are frustrated with something (like waiting in line behind a slow person) or when you are worried that you won’t meet expectations (such as missing a deadline).
Anxiety, on the other hand, is a feeling of dread, or fear and nervousness. It can be brought on by negative thoughts and expectations, or as a response to stress. You may experience feelings of anxiety virtually all of the time and not understand why, or your worry may be a response to something you are nervous about, such as an upcoming journey.