Stress is Normal - But What It’s Doing to Your Body Isn’t

We all experience stress. In fact, stress is a normal part of life. But when stress becomes chronic, that's where the problem begins. In this episode, we explore the science behind stress, what happens inside the body during prolonged periods of stress, and practical, evidence-based strategies to help build resilience and support overall wellbeing. Whether you're juggling work, family, caregiving, business, or simply the demands of everyday life, this episode will help you understand why managing stress isn't about eliminating life's challenges, it's about helping your body recover. ***You can find the full list of researched references and further readings below. Main Discussion Points What stress really is - Is it a bad thing? Acute stress vs chronic stress What chronic stress does to the body, including brain, immune system and skin The gut-brain connection Practical ways to reduce stress and build resistance Health Myth Debunked Stay in the Know: *** Subscribe to the blog's newsletter to stay informed and enjoy additional health and wellness topics. Things you can do right now to improve your health Related/Helpful Episodes: You’re Sleeping...But Are You Resting? Can You Really Catch Up on Sleep Over the Weekend? Is Your Lifestyle Quietly Damaging Your Brain? Sleepmaxxing – Optimizing Sleep Like a Hacker Gut Health: Why It Matters! Resources/Freebies: 1. Helpful Blog Posts/Videos: Top 5 Foods for Memory and Brain Health Longevity Habits from the World’s Blue Zones Video: Let's Talk Brain Health 2. Almonds and Olivez Wellness Blog 3. Almonds and Olivez YouTube Channel References and Further Reading Adam TC, Epel ES. Stress, eating and the reward system. Physiol Behav. 2007 Jul 24;91(4):449-58. Alotiby A. Immunology of Stress: A Review Article. J Clin Med. 2024 Oct 25;13(21):6394. American Psychological Association ( https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body ) Arck PC, Slominski A, Theoharides TC, Peters EM, Paus R. Neuroimmunology of stress: skin takes center stage. J Invest Dermatol. 2006 Aug;126(8):1697-704. Bobok N, Taskesen T. Stress-Induced Changes of the Skin: A Narrative Review. Cureus. 2025 Nov 7;17(11): e96285. Carabotti M et al. Ann Gastroenterol . 2015;28(2):203-209. Chu B, Marwaha K, Sanvictores T, et al. Physiology, Stress Reaction. [Updated 2024 May 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan. Cohen S, Janicki-Deverts D, Miller GE. Psychological stress and disease. JAMA. 2007 Oct 10;298(14):1685-7. Harvard Health ( https://www.health.harvard.edu/ ) Henein MY, Vancheri S, Longo G, Vancheri F. The Impact of Mental Stress on Cardiovascular Health-Part II. J Clin Med. 2022 Jul 28;11(15):4405. Lupien SJ, McEwen BS, Gunnar MR, Heim C. Effects of st