HOW STRESS SILENTLY SHAPES WOMEN'S HEALTH

THE INVISIBLE WEIGHT

- BY LUGHADARINI YOGARAJA

Many women pride themselves on their ability to "handle it all" - careers, relationships, family responsibilities, and personal growth. But the very strength that sustains them can also be what slowly wears them down. Beneath the smiles, to-do lists, and moments of resilience lies a truth often overlooked: stress is not just emotional; it is deeply physical, reshaping women's health in ways both subtle and profound.

THE BIOLOGY OF BURDEN

When the body perceives stress, it activates a builtin survival system, the fight-or-flight response. The brain signals the adrenal glands to release cortisol and adrenaline, priming the body for action. So when life becomes a constant stream of deadlines, caregiving, financial worries, and emotional demands, the body remains in a state of high alert.