Stress affects us all. From daily traffic to work deadlines, it can fuel anxiety, bad sleep, immunity deficiency and even depression. Kristen Lindgren, a psychologist at UW Medicine, explains that stress arises when demands outpace our resources, triggering the body’s natural fight-or-flight response.
“It’s an automatic response. Our body is detecting some kind of threat and reacting to it,” she said. “Our system revs up and gets going.”
Lindgren outlines practical ways to manage stress. With effective coping strategies and strong social support, individuals can reduce stress and even transform it into personal growth and resilience.
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