Everyone experiences stress and an occasional sleepless night. And we are all anxious at times. During National Stress Øut Week, take time to de-stress and discover the difference between everyday stress and an anxiety disorder. Affecting 40 million adults in the United States, anxiety disorders are persistent and overwhelming fears and worry, and they can interfere with daily life. They are identified as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias.

This year National Stress Øut Week highlights the connection between anxiety and sleep. According to the 2007 Stress and Anxiety Disorders Study, nearly half the adults surveyed report that stress and anxiety interfere with everyday life. Of the respondents who reported daily persistent stress or excessive anxiety, seven out of ten indicated they have trouble sleeping.

Find out how to throw a stress-free house party, and visit other links on this site and learn more about how to manage stress and anxiety and get a good night’s sleep during National Stress Øut Week—and all year-round.