---
title: The connection between anxiety and stress
description: "Stress and anxiety aren’t the same thing. But they are related. Learn about the connection between anxiety and stress.\n"
slug: anxiety-why-its-different-from-stress
author: Gail Belsky
reviewer: Jerome Schultz, PhD
published: '2019-08-05T15:02:24.297Z'
thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/J7ZkDhOWku6zmMSMe1Kir/39a612f013b39808de5855a77493e459/G1135282107.png
source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/anxiety-why-its-different-from-stress
lang: en
---

# The connection between anxiety and stress

Many people think of stress and anxiety as being the same thing. But while they’re closely related, these strong feelings are different. 

Stress is a natural response to a challenge. Changes in brain chemistry make our heart pump faster and our palms sweat as we get ready to act. We might feel nervous, angry, and frustrated. 

But [stress can also have a positive effect](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/good-stress-vs-bad-stress-in-kids). It can “pump up” a person to meet a challenge.

Anxiety is a *reaction *to stress. It happens when people don’t think they can handle the challenge that’s putting pressure on them. That lack of control makes them feel worried and afraid. 

Stress is often temporary. But when people feel it for an extended period of time, they may have what’s called *chronic stress.* And that can lead to anxiety.

---

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