This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice.

In our modern world, stress has become an unwelcome companion to millions of people across the globe. It creeps into our daily lives through deadlines at work, financial pressures, relationship challenges, and the constant bombardment of information from our digital devices. Yet despite its prevalence, many of us struggle to understand what stress truly is and how it affects our bodies and minds.

Stress, at its core, is our body's natural response to perceived threats or challenges. This response system evolved over thousands of years to help our ancestors survive dangerous situations. When faced with a predator or environmental hazard, the human body would release a cascade of hormones, primarily cortisol and adrenaline, preparing us for what scientists call the "fight or flight" response. Heart rate increases, muscles tense, breathing quickens, and blood flow redirects to essential organs and limbs.

This biological mechanism served our ancestors well when threats were immediate and physical. However, in today's society, our stress response system often activates in response to psychological rather than physical threats. A demanding boss, a traffic jam, or an overdue bill can trigger the same physiological response that once helped humans escape from wild animals. The problem is that these modern stressors are often chronic and ongoing, keeping our bodies in a state of constant alert.