Life can feel stressful. In a recent poll by the American Psychiatric Association  adults across the U.S. have reported increased feelings of anxiety. We all deal with many life stressors at once. Worries about  health, work, money, caregiving, politics, relationships, life changes or traumatic events can seem to stack up. For some people, this can lead to the constant feeling of pressure or nervousness known as anxiety. 

Occasional worries and some anxiety are a normal part of life. However, when the feelings of anxiety stay for months, become hard to manage and impact your ability to get through your day, you could be feeling more than just daily stress. Over 30% of adults will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. 

With an anxiety disorder, you may notice the feelings of anxiety are always present even when the source of your stress is gone. There can be changes in other aspects of your health too – such as higher blood pressure, digestive or immune system issues. You may also have trouble falling or staying asleep.

Other signs of an anxiety  disorder include:

• Excessive worry
• Feeling irritable, restless or on edge
• Trouble concentrating
• Muscle tension, headaches, body pain, chest pain
• Feeling short of breath
• Feeling intense fear or dread

The CDC  and the National Institute of Mental Health  have listed ways to help you manage your anxiety. Here are some tips:

• Take time to breathe – Download an app with breathing exercises or just take five minutes to clear your mind and relax
• Keep a journal – Write down your feelings, work on ways to change negative thoughts to positive
• Be active – Take a walk, stretch, find a form of movement that makes you feel good
• Focus on sleep – Aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day
• Take a break from social media and the news – Spending too much time on news or digital platforms can create feelings of distress
• Avoid excess caffeine in coffee or soda
• Connect with others – Lean on your support system, whether family, friends, or even peer support groups like through ADAA  or NAMI 
• Seek professional help

Counseling with a mental health therapist or psychologist can help reduce your symptoms. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a type of talk therapy that has been shown to work well for many people. For some people, taking anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medicine along with therapy helps. 

Not sure how to connect to mental health provider? Talk with your primary care doctor. They can refer you to providers in your area. They can also make sure you don’t have any health issues that may be linked to your symptoms.

Sources: American Adults Express Increasing Anxiousness in Annual Poll; Stress and Sleep are Key Factors Impacting Mental Health,  American Psychiatric Association, 2024; Is it Stress or Anxiety?,  National Institute of Mental Health; Anxiety Disorders,  Mayo Clinic, 2025; Worry and Anxiety,  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023