Stress is our body's natural reaction to a perceived challenge or threat, triggering a flood of hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, that work to increase our heart rate, blood pressure, and even energy levels.

While some level of stress is normal, and oftentimes even helpful, chronic or excessive stress can have negative effects on physical and mental health.

Anxiety, on the other hand, is a state of persistent worry, fear, or unease. It's not uncommon for anxiety to arise without an obvious cause, leading to symptoms like panic attacks, restlessness, excessive sweating, and disturbed sleep patterns. While not the same, anxiety and stress are closely linked, with stress sometimes triggering anxiety or vice versa.