You’re S.O.L. – Why Stress Will Follow You to Your Grave

Why Your Stress Won’t Go Away (Or You’ll Die Trying)

Imagine being born without stress or anxiety. Sounds amazing, right? Better question (because America): how much would you be willing to pay for this superpower? But this isn’t science fiction. A select few people in the entire world actually have a genetic mutation that causes them to not feel pain or anxiety.

But why must us mere mortals suffer? 

Turns out, our stress response system does serve a purpose. So, unless you win the genetic lottery, stress will always be something to manage.

But here’s the good news: it’s not something to fear. It’s part of the human experience. You just have to know how to work with it, not against it.

The Science Behind Stress

Stress is a feeling that’s hard to describe but instantly recognizable. It’s a complex biological response to perceived threats or challenges. When a stressful situation arises, like an oncoming car or screaming children, the body initiates a fight or flight response. 

It all starts in the amygdala, an area of the brain responsible for emotional processing. Once it senses danger, the amygdala instantly sends a S.O.S. signal to the hypothalamus. 

The hypothalamus is the body’s “command center.” Its job is to alert the body that danger is present which causes it to sweat, your heart to race, and adrenaline to pump throughout the body.

This “oh s**t” system is so quick and efficient we don’t even notice it happening. And that’s the point. It’s what allows you to dodge danger before your conscious brain catches up.

Not All Stress Is Made Equal

Researchers believe that our stress response developed over thousands of years as an evolutionary trait to survive. Faced with a wild animal, this response helped early humans react fast to escape danger.

We’re still wired the same today. Except most stress nowadays manifests in various ways even when an imminent threat is not present. Your body doesn’t care about context, it just reacts. 

But not all stress is the same. 

• — Acute Stress: This type of stress happens rapidly and is triggered by specific events or situations. It is a typical human response designed to help people handle immediate difficulties. Usually, when the triggering situation ends, the associated stress fades as well.

• — Chronic Stress: Chronic stress emerges from persistent issues that continue over a longer period like work pressures or ongoing financial difficulties. Unmanaged chronic stress may contribute to various health complications.

• — Eustress: Eustress is the good kind of stress. This typically occurs in challenging yet achievable situations like starting a new career or working on personal goals. Although it’s generally positive, it is nonetheless a form of stress. So don’t let it become excessive or it can negatively impact health.

• — Distress: Distress is caused by overwhelming or severely challenging circumstances. Situations like experiencing loss, facing trauma, or dealing with persistent illness often result in distress. Distress can significantly affect physical and emotional well-being.

• — Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD is a disorder that occurs after experiencing a particularly traumatizing event. Symptoms include repeated intrusive recollections, disturbing dreams, and intense emotional discomfort continuing long after the original trauma has ended. 

What Chronic Stress Does to Your Body Over Time

Your stress response is intended to throw your body out of whack to protect you. This is a feature of stress, not a bug. But leaving this alarm system on 24/7 may lead to other health issues like: 

• — Anxiety
• — Cognitive issues
• — Depression
• — Difficulty sleeping
• — Gut problems 
• — Heart disease
• — High blood pressure
• — Mood swings
• — Muscle tension and pain
• — Weight gain

Factors like genetics and life experiences can impact our stress response and how we respond to stressors long term. But there are quick and easy ways (and longer ways) to reduce stress. And while it may take time to use these tools consistently, rewiring our brain takes time.

Practical Ways to Relieve Stress

Now that you know why and how you will forever deal with stress, let’s talk about ways to manage it. But this isn’t management for the sake of management. Chronic stress is really bad. So try these out.

• — Grounding exercises are a quick natural stress reliever to reconnect you to the present moment. One of the most effective is the 5-4-3-2-1 method: find 5 things you can see; 4 things you can touch; 3 things you can hear; 2 things you can smell; and 1 thing you can taste.

• — Eating healthier, nutrient-dense foods help regulate cortisol, reduce inflammation, and boost neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Avocados, dark chocolate, salmon, chia seeds, bananas, and oranges are great options to keep your stress in check.

• — Digital detoxing has risen in popularity as social media has been linked to increased depression. I’ve become more diligent about significantly reducing my social media use, which has benefitted my mental health. A detox is like a diet. It’s different for everyone. A good start is to not use social media for one hour after you wake up or before bed. Go for a walk, read, or do something that’s nurturing to your soul instead.

• — Nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals are great options for people struggling with chronic stress. Nutraceuticals (supplements) provide a natural stress reliever using herbs like ashwagandha, L-theanine, and Chinese Skullcap. These supplements are often called adrenal support supplements (or mood support supplements). It’s important to invest in quality when it comes to supplements like our ZenAdren adrenal support supplement. Prescription medications are also an option when nothing else works. It’s important to remember to consult a medical doctor first to understand the benefits and risks associated with certain medications.

• — Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of therapy that uses bilateral stimulation (like guided eye movements or tapping) while recalling distressing memories. This process helps your brain reprocess the memory in a way that reduces its emotional charge, making it feel less overwhelming over time. EMDR is different from traditional therapy because it doesn’t require talking.

Stress Isn’t the Enemy—Disconnection Is

Your body isn’t broken. It’s trying to protect you, even when it overreacts.

The problem isn’t stress itself. It’s how often we disconnect from what we need. We push through. We numb out. We scroll, we snack, we hustle. And we wonder why we’re still exhausted.

The real shift begins when we stop trying to “fight” stress and start listening instead. Your body will always tell you what it needs, if you’re willing to slow down enough to hear it.

That might look like breathwork. Or therapy. Or swapping your third coffee for a real meal. It could be boundaries, rest, or a supplement that supports your nervous system. Whatever it is, it starts with the decision to reconnect—with your body, your spirit, your real life.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about returning to yourself, little by little, with curiosity instead of shame. Because you weren’t made to just survive the day. You were made to live it.

D.W. Tremaine

CEO & Co-Founder, First Holistic Wellness

First Holistic Wellness is an digital-first wellness company that offers high-quality vitamins and supplements (like its OrthoFirst brand), online workout and wellness videos, and telehealth without breaking the bank. The company has helped tens of thousands of customers take control and take care of their whole well-being. Learn more about First Holistic by exploring its wellness hub.