Summary

Stress isn’t the enemy—it’s information. It tells you where your limits, values, and opportunities for growth lie. The goal isn’t to eliminate stress but to oscillate—periods of challenge balanced by recovery. Exercise, deep breathing, and meaningful social connection all help reset the HPA axis and bring cortisol back to baseline. Think of stress like physical training: the right load builds strength, the wrong one causes injury. Used wisely, pressure isn’t a threat—it’s the fuel for progress.