Although stress and anxiety seem very similar, they have very different implications. Stress comes from an event or a thought that can make us angry or frustrated, whereas anxiety comes from a feeling of fear, worry or unease.

Going back to basics so that we make better lifestyle choices will help us alleviate anxiety, or at least reduce it, and when we step back, think about things and take control we will limit the amount of stress we deal with.

Some of the following information will also apply to handling stress too:

• Learn to communicate so you get to deal with your problems effectively. It’s easy to bottle up feelings and not say anything, but issues tend to get bigger the longer we leave them;
• If you divide the bigger problems into bite-size portions, that will cut down on anxiety. Change some of the order of how you do things so that you free up more time;
• Slow down and take more time with your family. Are you up too late, rushing breakfast down or skipping breakfast altogether, being out at the crack of dawn and returning home late from work? Perhaps it’s time to slow down and plan meal times in advance, so that you’re not rushed;
• Use past experiences as a tool to move on. Don’t dwell on what’s been. See your past as an opportunity to build new foundations.

We can’t change the past, but we can change our perceptions on our past.  Anxiety and stress can be controlled. Once we see life in a different, more positive light we will deal with anxiety better.

Many of us will be aware we have anxiety, but we either don’t know how to change it, or choose not to because we’re afraid it’ll take us out of our comfort zone. But we can change the way we perceive things in the same way as we choose to live our lives.

We must use and seek out opportunities, to think about how we can change some of our issues and how we can go on to build better, less stressful lives for ourselves.