17/05/2026
So what can you do to get better at managing stress? One of the most evidence-backed options, perhaps surprisingly, really is learning to just stop, take a moment and slow your breathing. “When people are stressed or anxious, they tend to breathe in a more shallow and rapid way, which reinforces the threat response, keeping the physiological loop going,” says Daniels. “If you breathe slowly, you’re giving your brain the message that everything is OK, you are safe – essentially inducing the relaxation response. So something as simple as regulated breathing really can make a difference and head stress off at the pass. The same is true for exercise, which can help reduce the excess adrenaline buildup caused by high-stress responses.”
It’s important to understand that this is most useful in acute (ie, temporary) stress situations – serious and disabling stress can’t be solved by just having a breather. If the stress is more prolonged and frequent, another option is evidence-based psychological therapies… https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/may/17/secrets-of-the-body-stress?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwdGRleAR2qzRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xNzM4NDc2NDI2NzAzNzAAAR7MHFI0QtXegsjcnhOv8VRZ_o0lSEuqH1WnWCkIEAu67WT8hjV3TBSKosNv_g_aem_dvx6DtjhU5pnYkg7LlX11Q =1779004279
From an elevated heart rate to weakened immunity, experts explain the hidden physical costs of chronic stress – and why our bodies aren’t built to stay on high alert
