Feeling constantly on edge, like you're waiting for the next shoe to drop? You're not alone. Stress affects everyone—but understanding it and learning to manage it can make a big difference.

Licensed clinical social worker Savannah Smith explains stress as a natural response and how to recognize it through signs like irritability, fatigue, and overwhelm. Awareness, she says, is the crucial first step to addressing it.

Smith shares simple, effective coping tools—from adult coloring books to flexible routines—and uses a helpful analogy: trying to handle every stressor at once is like carrying open boxes. Things spill. Tackle one box at a time.

She also reframes self-care as essential, not selfish: “If we don’t take care of ourselves, it’s hard to take care of anyone else.”

Whether you're facing work stress, family demands, or just the chaos of everyday life, this episode offers clear, practical guidance. Listen now—your future self will thank you. Subscribe today for more health insights.