Let's face it, life can be stressful, especially these days when the world always seems to be on the brink of another disaster. So, it's no wonder that sometimes even the simplest tasks, like getting out of bed or taking the dog for a walk, can seem taxing if you're in a constant state of worry or distress. But mental health experts want you to know it doesn't have to be that way.
"We all deserve some level of comfort and peace in our lives," said Debra Kissen, Ph.D., the CEO of Light on Anxiety CBT Treatment Center of Chicago. "We shouldn't have to white knuckle our way through life."
Even though "worried" and "anxious" are often used interchangeably, they aren’t the same experience. For instance, worry is more concentrated in our thoughts, while anxiety “tends to be more visceral in that we feel it throughout our bodies,” according to Psychology Today. Another key difference is worry is only temporary, but anxiety tends to linger, and if left untreated, can have some major impacts on your health, such as sleep or digestive issues.
If you’re nodding along as you read this, you’re not alon