Stress and anxiety blur together for me too. When something is going on, I can feel it in my body first, with tight shoulders, a restless stomach, and that wired feeling that makes it hard to settle down. Then my thoughts start racing, even after the original problem has passed.
I used to think stress would disappear once I dealt with whatever caused it. Sometimes it does, but other times the anxious feeling hangs around and starts finding new things to worry about. That’s the part I find confusing, because I’m not always sure whether I need to solve a problem or calm myself down.
Do you notice a difference between the two, or do they usually feel mixed together for you?
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The feeling hanging around after the original problem is gone is what makes it hardest for me to tell them apart. I might finish an assignment or deal with an awkward conversation, but my body still feels braced like something else is about to happen.
One small thing that helps me sort it out is asking whether there’s a specific problem I can act on. If there is, I make a short plan. If not, I try to calm my body first, like taking a shower or going for a walk.
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That “braced” feeling after everything is over makes sense to me. I’ve had times when my mind knows the situation is finished, but my body hasn’t caught up yet. It can make a normal evening feel oddly tense.
Your question about whether there’s something specific to act on seems useful. I tend to make a plan too quickly, even when what I really need is to let my nervous system settle. A shower or walk sounds like a good way to test which one it is.
Do you find one of those works better when the tension is mostly physical, or does it depend on what set it off?