Anxiety is a natural and necessary part of life. It’s the body’s built-in alarm system—a response to real or perceived stressors that helps us stay alert, focused, and prepared. In many ways, anxiety is useful. It can help us meet deadlines, respond to challenges, or stay safe in threatening situations. But what happens when anxiety starts to take up too much space in your day-to-day life?

Most of us have felt anxious at one time or another. Maybe your heart raced before a big presentation, or you felt nervous before walking into a new environment like a crowded gym or an unfamiliar social event. You might even notice that your stomach flips or your thoughts start to race when you’re writing something personal for others to read—like a blog or public post. These experiences are common and expected. In most cases, the anxiety fades after the event passes or once you begin to feel more comfortable.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), “Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure.” In small doses, anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and serves a protective function. However, when anxiety becomes frequent, intense, or hard to control, it may begin to interfere with daily functioning such as work, relationships, sleep, or physical health.

People living with an anxiety disorder often experience persistent and excessive worry that doesn’t go away, even in the absence of an immediate threat. This worry may be hard to pinpoint or explain and can spiral into intrusive thoughts, restlessness, or even panic. While some individuals can identify specific triggers, such as public speaking or flying, others might struggle to name exactly what’s causing their sense of unease. The anxiety can feel disproportionate to the actual situation, and over time, it may erode confidence and limit life experiences.

Anxiety vs. Stress: What’s the Difference?
Though often used interchangeably, anxiety and stress are not the same thing. Stress is typically a response to an external situation or demand, such as an upcoming exam, a tight deadline at work, or a family conflict. Once the situation resolves, the stress tends to subside. Anxiety, on the other hand, may persist even when the external stressor is gone—or may arise with no obvious trigger at all.