Our lives are often filled with stress, even when the economy isn’t riding a bumpy rollercoaster and a national election hasn’t consumed our thoughts. Everyone experiences stress and anxiety at one time or another.

During National Stress Øut Week, take time to relax and unwind and discover the difference between everyday stress and an anxiety disorder. Anxiety is a normal reaction that lets you know that something isn’t right. It keeps you from harm’s way and prepares you to act quickly in the face of danger. However, for some 40 million adults in the United States, anxiety is persistent, irrational, and overwhelming—and it can interfere with daily life. If this is what you’re experiencing, you may have an anxiety disorder.

The term “anxiety disorders”  describes a group of conditions that includes generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder (also known as social phobia), and specific phobias.

This year National Stress Øut Week highlights the benefits of physical activity in reducing stress. To find out how to manage stress and anxiety and stay mentally and physically fit during National Stress Øut Week—and all year—visit other links on this site.