Many of us have experienced being "stressed out," but what does that really mean, and how does it impact our emotional well-being? Stress can be immediate—a response to a single challenging event—or it can be chronic, lingering over time and leading to deeper issues like anxiety and even depression. The line between stress and anxiety is often thin, with chronic stress intensifying emotional strain. When left unaddressed, this emotional burden can impact physical health, leading to symptoms like sleeplessness, overeating, or loss of appetite. In the emotional domain of stress, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, DNP, explore the link between emotional health and stress, offering strategies to manage stressors within our control and develop healthier responses to support overall well-being.