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Understanding What Stress Does to Your Body & Mind

Janiyah Spears | February 13, 2026

In honor of Heart Health Month, we spoke with Mary Bazie, our Director of Behavioral Health, about stress: what it is, how it shows up in our lives, and why so many of us carry it without realizing the toll it takes.

“Stress is often called a silent killer,” Bazie explained. “Whether we know it or not, life is full of stress.”

But not all stress is the same.

Healthy Stress vs. Unhealthy Stress

According to Bazie, there is such a thing as healthy stress. This is the kind that motivates us. It pushes us to meet deadlines, prepare for opportunities, and make meaningful changes in our lives. Healthy stress can move us toward something we want.

Unhealthy stress, however, is different.

It’s the kind that lingers. The kind that builds quietly over time.

Unhealthy stress can come from repeated microaggressions at work, feeling unsafe in your neighborhood, being uncomfortable on public transportation, or navigating environments where you constantly feel on guard. These experiences may not always be dramatic or headline-making, but when they happen day after day, they accumulate in the body.

“We carry it around inside of our bodies and don’t realize the impact it’s having,” Bazie said. “Sometimes we’ve carried it for so long that it feels normal.”

It may only become noticeable when we finally relax—when a deep breath feels unfamiliar, or when an unexpected nap leaves us realizing just how exhausted we’ve been.

How Stress Impacts the Body

Stress doesn’t just affect mood. It affects the entire body.

Chronic stress can impact:

• The heart

• The lungs

• Sleep patterns

• The ability to think clearly

When we don’t sleep well, that creates additional stress. Over time, this cycle can make it harder to be thoughtful and planful. Instead, we become reactive.

“Often we think our reactions are triggered by something else,” Bazie noted. “But really what’s happening for us is stress.”

When stress goes unrecognized, it can shape how we respond to conversations, how we interpret situations, and how we move through the world.

Signs You May Be Carrying Too Much Stress

Bazie encourages people to check in with their bodies.

Ask yourself:

• Am I holding my body tightly?

• Am I clenching my jaw or shoulders?

• Am I holding my breath without realizing it?

• Am I constantly scanning my surroundings, feeling hyper-vigilant?

• Do I feel under attack in situations where I don’t feel I have a choice?

These are all indicators of high stress.

Another common response is isolation.

“When we’re too wound up, too afraid, too uncomfortable, we avoid connection,” she said.

Yet humans are social beings. We need connection—face-to-face, in real time. When stress prevents us from engaging in everyday activities like going to the grocery store or attending social events, it can deepen feelings of loneliness and anxiety.

Awareness Is the First Step

Stress may be silent, but it is not harmless.

The first step is awareness: noticing how your body feels, how you react, how often you feel on edge. From there, self-care becomes more intentional—prioritizing rest, breathing deeply, connecting with others, and seeking support when needed.

If you are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or simply want to talk to someone, scheduling an appointment with a behavioral health provider can be a meaningful next step. You don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t even have to know exactly what you’re feeling.

Sometimes, asking the question is enough to begin.

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