Feeling better in that instant is so hard, especially when stress, anxiety, or sadness have taken over. Often, these emotions create a mental and physical response that feels so overwhelming that it's hard to shift out of a negative state. Stress can activate the body's fight-or-flight response, increase heart rate, and stimulate hormones such as cortisol, which can cloud thinking and reduce emotional resilience. Anxiety is sometimes a vicious cycle of worry, while sadness usually decreases energy and motivation. Feeling better in that instant is so hard, especially when stress, anxiety, or sadness have taken over. Often, these emotions create a mental and physical response that feels so overwhelming that it's hard to shift out of a negative state. Stress can activate the body's fight-or-flight response, increase heart rate, and stimulate hormones such as cortisol, which can cloud thinking and reduce emotional resilience. Anxiety is sometimes a vicious cycle of worry, while sadness usually decreases energy and motivation.