During stressful times, your body produces various chemicals, including cortisol, an immune-suppressing hormone. The more cortisol produced, the weaker your immune cells become and the more susceptible you are to illness.

Mental stress does more than diminish your sense of well-being. It also can increase your risk for heart disease.

Knowing the causes of your stress will help you find ways to manage it.

Ways to manage stress: Get enough sleep, follow a healthy diet and make time for yourself.

Focusing the mind helps provide stress relief. Taking 5 to 10 minutes to practice relaxation each day helps you feel more refreshed.

You are the only person responsible for your thoughts and actions. This simple idea is your most powerful tool for managing stress.

Meditation allows you to become more awake and more deliberate about your actions. It teaches you how to respond rather than react to situations in your life.

No matter the source of your stress, it can produce physical, mental, and emotional symptoms that can affect any part of the body.