Myths & Facts About Stress: What You Really Need to Know 💥

We all experience stress, but how much of what you think you know about stress is actually true? As a functional medicine doctor and psychiatrist, I’ve worked with hundreds of people who were told things about stress that turned out to be completely wrong and kept them stuck in survival mode instead of healing.

Let’s set the record straight with some powerful myth-busting:

📍Myth #1: You just have to shift your mindset.🧠 Fact: Stress isn’t only in your head, it’s in your body.While mindset work is valuable, it won’t stick unless your nervous system feels safe. Your body needs nourishment, deep rest, movement that restores (not depletes), and time to process. That’s how we build true resilience, not through willpower alone.

📍Myth #2: Intense exercise helps burn off stress.🏋️ Fact: Movement is powerful medicine but more isn't always better.Pushing yourself through bootcamps or HIIT classes when you’re already running on fumes can actually worsen stress-related exhaustion. The right kind of movement supports your body. Think: walks in nature, restorative yoga, or gentle strength training.

📍Myth #3: Coffee helps you power through stress.☕ Fact: Caffeine can amplify stress, not calm it.If you're leaning on coffee to push through fatigue, your body might be crying out for actual rest, not more stimulation. Too much caffeine can disrupt cortisol, impact blood sugar, and leave you more frazzled. Sometimes, the strongest choice is a nap instead of a double shot.

📍Myth #4: If you're not anxious, you're not stressed.😶 Fact: Stress shows up in sneaky ways, not just as anxiety.You might notice brain fog, fatigue, digestive issues, trouble focusing, or mood swings long before you ever feel "stressed." Your nervous system can be dysregulated even when your mind feels calm. That’s why we must listen to the whole body.

📍Myth #5: Stress is always bad.⚡ Fact: Not all stress is harmful, in fact, it can be harnessed for growth.The goal isn’t to eliminate stress altogether (that’s impossible). It’s to build resilience so you can move through stress with more stability, clarity, and energy. Chronic stress is damaging. But acute stress, when supported properly, can be the spark that catalyzes transformation.

There’s no better time to start learning how your body and brain truly respond to stress and how to support them in healing.

👉 Keep an eye out for more blog posts where I’ll be sharing tools, tips, and science-backed solutions from a functional medicine perspective.

If you are a California Resident, take the next step in prioritizing your heart health. Schedule a discovery call today to explore how we can support your wellness journey!.