Stress is a normal part of life, but when it becomes chronic, it can disrupt your body in ways you might not expect. Many people experience symptoms like feeling exhausted yet unable to relax, trouble sleeping, or sudden weight gain and write them off as just being busy or tired. These signs often point to an imbalance in stress hormones, especially cortisol, which plays a key role in how your body handles stress and metabolism. Understanding these symptoms can help you break