We tend to think of stress as just a feeling—
"I feel anxious.... overwhelmed..... on edge."
But here’s the thing:
"I feel anxious.... overwhelmed..... on edge."
But here’s the thing:
Stress isn’t just in your head. It shows up in your body, whether you feel it or not.
And when it sticks around long enough, it makes everything harder—sleep, digestion, hormones, mood, and even your results in the gym or kitchen.
This isn't to scare you or make you fear stress—stress is absolutely necessary in order for us to evolve, change, and grow as human beings. If we never had stress, we would never progress.
But there is impact and tolerance to consider from a volume and load perspective over time that impacts everyone differently.
Once we become more aware of how it impacts us and shows up in our lives, we can support ourselves better and start to notice warning signs that indicate a need to adjust.
But there is impact and tolerance to consider from a volume and load perspective over time that impacts everyone differently.
Once we become more aware of how it impacts us and shows up in our lives, we can support ourselves better and start to notice warning signs that indicate a need to adjust.
What Stress Actually Does to Your Body
When you're under stress, your body pumps out hormones like cortisol and adrenaline to help you survive a threat. Useful in the short-term. But when that threat is just… life? Emails, deadlines, pressure, constant doing?
That stress response stays on—and starts chipping away at you.
Here’s how chronic stress can show up:
- 🔁 Sleep goes sideways – can’t fall asleep, wake up wired, or never feel rested
- 💥 Digestion gets sluggish – less stomach acid + enzymes = bloating, irregularity
- 💣 Nutrient depletion – burns through magnesium, B vitamins, and vitamin C
- 🍭 Blood sugar spikes – leads to cravings, crashes, and belly fat storage
- 🛡️ Immune function dips – you get sick more or take longer to bounce back
- ⚖️ Hormones shift – thyroid, sex hormones, hunger signals all thrown off
- 😵💫 Mood gets shaky – more irritable, anxious, or emotionally flat
And the tricky part? Most of this builds gradually. So you might not connect the dots right away.
You Might Be More Stressed Than You Think If…
You’re not having panic attacks, but you’re:
- Always tired, even after a “full” night of sleep
- Craving sugar or carbs all day
- Wired at night but dragging in the morning
- Getting sick more often or taking longer to recover
- Feeling bloated, gassy, or just “off” digestively
- Snapping at people over small things (or feel numb)
- Noticing period changes or zero libido
👉 These are physiological symptoms of stress. Not personality flaws. And they’re worth listening to.
What You Can Do to Actually Support Your System
You don’t need to quit your job, live off smoothies, or become a monk.
But you do need consistent, realistic inputs that tell your nervous system: you’re safe.
Try this:
- Move daily — not punishing workouts, just consistent movement (walks, strength, stretching)
- Prioritize sleep — get off screens before bed, create wind-down time
- Eat real food — especially things rich in magnesium & B vitamins (leafy greens, eggs, salmon, seeds)
- Set boundaries — say no more often, protect your time, build in buffer
- Breathe on purpose — even 5 minutes of deep breathing can calm your nervous system
- Rest before you break — you don’t need to earn rest by burning out first
The Bottom Line
Stress isn’t a badge of honor. It’s not something to push through or prove you can handle. It’s something to listen to and manage—because your body is asking for support.
Even the smallest shifts can help you rebuild resilience, feel more like yourself, and move forward with more energy.
Let’s stop normalizing burnout and start normalizing recovery.