In recent decades, some people have grown overly fearful of stress, concluding that it's "the most horrible thing that can happen to you' In a high-stakes situation, your brain directs the adrenal glands to release hormones including adrenaline, causing physiological changes throughout the body. When stress festers for a long time, unaddressed, it’s linked to mental and physical health issues, even raising your risk for chronic conditions like heart disease