Stress is the body’s natural response to challenges or demands, characterized by emotional, physical, or psychological strain. It is a universal human experience, often triggered by life events or circumstances that push us out of our comfort zones. Causes of stress can range from daily responsibilities like work and family to more significant life changes such as a job loss, a death in the family, or illness. Even perceived threats or worries about future events can induce stress.

The body reacts to stress by creating hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which prime the body for a “fight or flight” response. While this can be beneficial in the short term, providing the alertness and energy needed to handle difficult situations, chronic stress can have a detrimental impact on health, contributing to high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety.