Anxiety & Stress by Rebecca Nicole Sy

Most people experience stress and anxiety from time to time. I experience it quite a bit and I know a lot of others can say the same. Stress is any demand placed on your brain or physical body. The feeling of being stressed can be triggered by an event that makes you feel frustrated or nervous. Anxiety is a feeling of fear, worry, or unease. It can be a reaction to stress, or it can occur in people who are unable to identify significant stressors in their life.

Our moods are constantly going up and down. If we know and accept that every situation changes, we can then think: “So now I am unhappy. It is nothing special. It will not last forever.” Whether I feel happy or unhappy, I know it is because of causes and conditions. A great Buddhist master from India, Shantideva, gave us a very useful piece of advice: If there is a situation that you can change, why worry? Just change it. And if there is a situation that you cannot change, why worry? Worrying will not help. I only learned this recently, so I get it. It’s hard to think like this in all situations when things aren’t going so well. But, I think we can at least make the effort to try. 


Stress and anxiety are not always bad. In the short term, they can help you overcome a challenge or a dangerous situation. Examples of everyday stress and anxiety include worrying about finding a job, feeling nervous before a big test, or being embarrassed in certain social situations. If we did not experience some anxiety we might not be motivated to do things that we need to do (for instance, studying for that big test!). However, if stress and anxiety begin interfering with your daily life, it may indicate a more serious issue. If you are avoiding situations due to irrational fears, constantly worrying, or experiencing severe anxiety about a traumatic event weeks after it happened, it may be time to seek help.



Stress and anxiety can produce both physical and psychological symptoms. That being said, people experience stress and anxiety differently. 

Some common physical symptoms include:


  • Stomachache

  • muscle tension

  • Headache

  • rapid breathing

  • fast heartbeat

  • Sweating

  • Shaking

  • Dizziness

  • frequent urination

  • change in appetite

  • trouble sleeping

  • Diarrhea

  • And fatigue



Some emotional symptoms can include:


  • feelings of impending doom

  • panic or nervousness, especially in social settings

  • difficulty concentrating

  • irrational anger

  • restlessness


*Please remember if you’re having thoughts about harming yourself or others, you should seek immediate medical help. Stress and anxiety are treatable conditions and there are many resources, strategies, and treatments that can help. If you’re unable to control your worries, and stress is impacting your daily life, talk to your primary care provider about ways to manage stress and anxiety.


It's completely normal to experience stress and anxiety from time to time, and there are strategies you can use to make them more manageable. Certain lifestyle changes can help alleviate symptoms of stress and anxiety. These techniques can be used along with medical treatments for anxiety. 

Some techniques I use to reduce stress and anxiety include:


  • eating a balanced, healthy diet

  • limiting caffeine and alcohol consumption

  • getting enough sleep

  • getting regular exercise

  • Meditating

  • Listening to music

  • Drawing

  • scheduling time for hobbies

  • keeping a diary of your feelings

  • practicing deep breathing

  • recognizing the factors that trigger your stress

  • And talking to a friend or family member



I understand stress and anxiety can be really unpleasant to deal with so I hope these techniques can help in any way. At many points in our lives, we will experience stress and anxiety. It’s a part of life and completely normal. That being said, it’s important to recognize when the stress in your life is causing negative consequences. If you feel like your stress and anxiety are becoming unmanageable, please seek professional help or ask others to help you find the support you need. Don’t try to handle everything on your own because I know that there are people in your life who love and will support you. Please remember that.❤️ 


Sources: https://www.healthline.com/health/stress-and-anxiety

https://studybuddhism.com/en/advanced-studies/science-of-mind/emotional-hygiene/the-relevance-of-buddhism-in-the-modern-world


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