​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. ​