According to the CDC, stress is how our body responds to pressure or tension.
We know from the latest data on stress that over a quarter of us are so overwhelmed with life, that it’s impacting our ability to live it.
That means, we can’t make good decisions for ourselves when our neurons are frazzled. When we’re under so much pressure, we might just get up and walk away. If we’re not careful, “chronic stress can put your health at risk.”
You already know you need to slow down, take things off your plate, let things go, make time for a morning routine, yada yada yada. You don’t need to hear that from us.
But what’s stopping you from following through?
Like a before/after transformation interview, for many there is an inflection point where they look at their health, their family, and into the future; and that’s when they make a change.
But what if you don’t have that? What if you are handling it all, keeping burnout at bay, and being everything everywhere all at once?
Do you know if “handling it all” means you’re beating stress, or just masking it?
Data for stress: Cortisol tests are coming
There’re plenty of trackers out there on the market to give you data about your daily activity. But none track cortisol – the hormone we release when we experience stress.
What if you could track this hormone, not just to get a daily average, but to recognize patterns in your life so you can get ahead of and prepare for the activities that cause spikes in cortisol.
Ready to take a small step today?
Resources for stress
Statistics
Stress Statistics 2025, Report by OneVital, June 2026
APA 2023 Stress Report: Collective Trauma; societal stress and trauma recovery
APA Annual Poll on Anxiety; increase in general anxiety among adults
Teens and Young Adults – American Institute of Stress; youth stress triggers and mental health
Gallup Sleep and Stress Poll; Americans sleeping less and feeling more stressed
BHHC SafetyCenter Stress Stats; facts and figures about stress in the U.S.
Student Stress Statistics – Research.com; academic and mental health pressures in students
Prevention
WHO Health Promotion Images (album); visual materials related to health promotion and stress
Managing Stress – CDC; managing chronic stress and mental health
Understanding and Managing Stress – First Psychology; types of stress and coping mechanisms
Reduction
Doing What Matters in Times of Stress – WHO; self-care strategies for stress and adversity
White Paper on Stress by OptimalDX; physiological impacts of stress
Types of stress
We reference these resources to help remind you that there are multiple types of stress, and even “manageable” stress could turn into chronic stress at some point:
1. Acute stress
Preparing for that deadline, waiting for test results. These can be stressful situations that come and go and can usually be solved.
“Acute stress is the most common form of stress and usually occurs in response to an immediate perceived threat, either physical, emotional or psychological.”
— First Psychology Booklet
2. Episodic acute stress
GI Joe says “knowing half the battle”. You know you’re in a challenging role, you’re balancing work and childcare, you’re trying to get enough sleep. Sometimes, we get into a cycle we struggle to get out of – from inertia, perceived expectations, or just doing what we’ve always done. This can turn habitual, and lead to regularly elevated cortisol levels.
“When acute stress happens frequently and becomes a way of life, it’s referred to as episodic acute stress. People who worry constantly, are always in a rush, or take on too much are more likely to experience this.”
— First Psychology Booklet
3. Chronic Stress
Life is a marathon and a sprint at the same time. Even if you’re handling it, the chronic part is the issue.
“Chronic stress is the grinding stress that wears people away day after day, year after year. It arises from long-term exposure to stressors such as poverty, a dysfunctional family, or an unhappy marriage.”
— First Psychology Booklet
4. Eustress
Sometimes referred to as “positive” stress that can build motivation, focus, and performance. It’s the kind of stress you might feel before a big presentation, starting a new job, or during a competition. Even healthy amounts of stress needs recovery. Without it, even the “good kind” can become harmful.
“Eustress helps us feel energized and excited about life. It’s typically short-term, perceived as within our coping abilities, and can actually improve performance.”
— First Psychology Booklet
4. Internal vs. external stressors
Many of us are overachievers by nature or nurture. There’s a powerful combination when community norms, familial expectations, and financial pressures all converge – especially if you derive your identity from all of these places.
“Internal stressors include fears, beliefs, attitudes, and expectations. External stressors are events and situations that happen to you, such as job loss, illness, or a demanding work schedule.”
— First Psychology Booklet
5. Collective or community-based stress
The news is always negative because we are hardwired to pay attention to threats. When we undergo collective trauma like natural disasters, war, or mass layoffs, our individual trauma is compounded even more when many others in our communities are experiencing the same disruption.
“As a society, we are experiencing a shared trauma, and that can have profound effects on our individual stress levels and mental health.”
— American Psychological Association, 2023 Stress in America Report
6. Stress from adversity (Conflict, displacement, or personal crisis)
Remember, over 1 million people died from covid around the world, and it wasn’t that long ago. So many people were thrown into extreme circumstances during this time – it’s not surprising the effects may be long lasting.
“The strategies in this guide are intended for people dealing with adversity, whether due to armed conflict, forced displacement, epidemics, or other highly stressful circumstances.”
— WHO, Doing What Matters in Times of Stress
Don’t wait until the choice is made for you
If over one out of five people are experiencing so much stress that it’s difficult to get through daily tasks, then it’s only a matter of time before our emotions bleed into work, or our relationships, or our community ties… Don’t let the choice be made for you – start by making a bold choice that brings you relief and space to rest. You deserve it.
