It is easy to see the buzz expressions “mental health” and “ways to cope with stress/anxiety” appear regularly on social media, but it’s even harder to directly interact with someone who struggles from anxiety. Not only is it often misunderstood, but it is also underestimated. The truth is that understanding the role and impact of anxiety can change lives. One simple act of empathy or understanding can avoid a ripple effect of bigger crises; helping those struggling with anxiety to gain confidence and handle life in a better way. It’s more than just about ‘worrying’ or not being able to fall asleep at night. It’s way bigger than that, which is why it is important to provide the context behind words such as ‘stress’ and ‘anxiety’. First, stress does not equal anxiety While videos on social media may give the impression that stress is like having anxiety, people experiencing real anxiety go through completely different struggles. According to research, stress on its own is usually caused by an external trigger, which means that it can be short-term or only lasts until the external event comes to an end (a work…
