What You Can Do About It
Stress has become almost a badge of honor in our fast-paced world. We power through deadlines, juggle family and work, and convince ourselves that feeling overwhelmed is just part of being an adult.
But beneath the surface, stress may be quietly damaging your health in ways you don’t even realize.
What Is Stress, Really?
Stress is your body’s built-in alarm system. When faced with a challenge or threat, your adrenal glands release hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, helping you stay alert and responsive. This is useful in the short term — say, slamming on the brakes to avoid a car accident.
The problem? Most of us live in a state of chronic stress, where those same hormones stay elevated for days, weeks, or even years. And that’s where the real damage begins.
How Stress Affects Your Body
Here are just a few of the ways chronic stress impacts your health:
Hormonal Imbalance
Chronic stress causes cortisol levels to spike, which can throw off other important hormones — like DHEA, estrogen, and testosterone — affecting everything from sleep to fertility.
Weakened Immunity
High cortisol suppresses immune function, making you more vulnerable to colds, viruses, and chronic inflammation.
Poor Sleep
You might feel exhausted but unable to wind down. That’s because stress disrupts your body’s natural circadian rhythm, especially if cortisol stays high at night.
Brain Fog and Mood Swings
Stress depletes neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which help regulate mood and focus. It’s no surprise that chronic stress is closely linked to anxiety and depression.
Weight Gain (Especially Around the Belly)
Cortisol increases cravings for sugar and carbs — and encourages fat storage around the abdomen. It’s not willpower. It’s biology.
So How Do You Know If Stress Is Hurting You?
Everyone experiences stress differently. One person might feel wired and anxious; another might feel exhausted and burnt out. That’s why tracking symptoms alone isn’t always enough.
To truly understand how your body is coping with stress, you need to look under the hood — at your cortisol and DHEA levels throughout the day.
Want to Know What Stress Is Doing to Your Body?
One of the most accurate and convenient ways to assess your stress response is with the Thorne Stress Test — an at-home saliva test that maps your cortisol rhythm and DHEA levels.
It’s non-invasive, simple to use, and backed by science. You’ll get a personalized report that explains what your hormone levels mean and what you can do to support recovery.
✅ Ready to Take the Next Step?
Understanding your stress response is the first step toward reclaiming your energy, focus, and balance.
Order your Thorne Stress Test here
It’s quick, easy, and could help you make sense of symptoms you’ve been struggling with for years.