Stress Busters: Easy Ways to Keep Cool

Feeling stressed out? You're not alone. Stress can mess with your body, mind, and how you act. Knowing the signs can help you stay healthy and avoid problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Ever heard of the "fight-or-flight" response? When your brain thinks something's wrong, it sends a message to your body, releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These make your heart beat faster, blood pressure go up, and energy levels soar. But they can also cause headaches, poor sleep, and trouble focusing.Dr. Summer Allen from the Mayo Clinic says everyone's different, so finding what works for you is key. "Stress is all about how we respond to situations, " she explains. "So, we need to find personalized ways to manage it. " Want to chill out? Try journaling, meditating, reading a book, or getting active. Yoga's another great option. Just remember, make changes slowly. "Trying to change everything at once can just add more stress, " says Dr. Allen.