Neurologist reveals how anxiety attacks heart, digestion and immunity; shares quick ways for relief

Stress is often thought of as an invisible weight on the mind, but NYU neurologist Dr. Wendy Suzuki warns it affects the body far beyond emotions. In a recent Instagram video for her #MythMenders series, Suzuki explained that stress triggers a “full body cascade,” impacting heart rate, breathing, digestion, and immunity.

“Stress isn’t just in your head,” Suzuki said. “Quick release routines like a physiological sigh, shoulder rolls, or a brisk five-minute walk can reset your body, and your mind follows” (Instagram, 2025).

How Stress Physically Alters the Body

According to Suzuki, long-term stress is not harmless. Cortisol, the stress hormone, crosses the blood-brain barrier, damaging critical brain regions like the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, which control memory, learning, and decision-making. Speaking on the Jay Shetty Podcast, Suzuki warned that “consistent high levels of cortisol can eventually kill brain cells and impair cognitive abilities.”


Stress does not stop at the brain. Chronic tension can also disrupt digestion, weaken immunity, and even affect breathing. Recent studies show that stress can accelerate aging, including premature greying of hair due to pigment cell depletion, illustrating how anxiety can leave marks on the body.

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Everyday Triggers Amplify Anxiety

Suzuki highlighted the role of daily habits in exacerbating stress. “It’s the everyday anxiety provoked by scary news or social media,” she said, urging younger generations to create mindful gaps between waking up and engaging with technology. Delaying the first scroll of the phone allows the brain to “catch up naturally” and improves resilience against daily stress.

Human Connection as a Stress Antidote

Simple, real-world interactions can counterbalance the effects of chronic tension. “Have a conversation with a real person—that is such a joy and privilege in our lives,” Suzuki said. Engaging socially and creating brief digital detoxes can rewire the brain and set a calmer tone for the day.

Quick Tricks to Reset Body and Mind

For immediate relief from stress, Suzuki recommends:

• Physiological sigh: double inhale, long exhale
• 60 seconds of shoulder rolls or silly shakeouts
• Brisk five-minute walk

These routines help reset both body and mind, reducing stress’s physiological footprint before it escalates.

Suzuki’s decades of research in neuroplasticity and brain health emphasize that stress is a silent force eroding both mental and physical well-being. Her advice is clear: rethink daily routines, prioritize human connection, and create space to reset. In a world dominated by constant information, stress management is the key to protecting not just the mind, but the entire body.