Stress can be described as the feeling of being overwhelmed or inability to cope with mental or emotional pressure. It can have mental and physical effects. At one point or another, most people deal with feelings of stress. In fact, a study from 2015 showed that 59% of adults reported having high levels of perceived stress.
Anxiety is how the body naturally responds to stress. It’s a feeling of fear or apprehension about what’s to happen. The first day of school, going to a job interview, or giving a speech may make most people feel fearful and nervous. But if your feelings of anxiety are extreme, persist for over six months, and are interfering with your life, you may experience an anxiety disorder.
Symptoms of stress and anxiety
Reduced energy and insomnia
Prolonged stress can lead to chronic fatigue and disruptions in sleep, which may reduce energy levels. For example, a recent study of more than 7,000 working adults discovered that fatigue was greatly associated with work-related stress. Stress may also affect sleep and cause insomnia, which can lead to low energy.
Another study of 2,316 participants showed that exposure to stress can increase risk of insomnia. Both of these studies focus on sleep reactivity, or the extent to which stress affects the ability to fall asleep or remain asleep. It’s evident that stress can disturb sleep, not everyone who undergoes stress or who is going through a stressful time will deal with insomnia or sleep disturbances.