Stress

Stress is everywhere in our society. And your body can’t tell different types of stress apart.

Job stress, relationship issues, lack of sleep or poor diet – your body responds the same way.

It produces cortisol, the anti-stress hormone. Cortisol is like a fire alarm. It tells your body something’s wrong.

To fight stress, your body releases glucose into your blood. This can lead to type 2 diabetes if stress is constant.

High stress can also make your body store fat. It’s trying to save energy to escape the perceived threat.

What can we do? Besides eating whole foods and strength training, try these:

1. Walk: Fresh air, sun, and exercise lower stress.

2. Meditate: A few quiet minutes daily can help you feel calmer.

3. Stretch: Sometimes extra sleep and light stretching beats a rushed workout.

4. Get Romantic: Physical and emotional connection reduce stress and build mental health.

5. Limit screen time: Social media often increases stress. Set limits.

What anti-stress practice will you try this week?