Stress isn’t always a bad thing. Some stress pushes us to meet goals by studying more, working harder or sticking with a challenging task. But sometimes stress reaches an unhealthy level that can prevent us from functioning well and meeting our goals. Recent research from The Jed Foundation and MTV found that over half of all college students had been so stressed that they couldn’t function at some point during the last year. Our health, goals and social life can all suffer when stress becomes too much to handle. That’s because stress can affect our moods and ability to think clearly. It can also weaken our immune system and make us more susceptible to getting sick.

Chronic stress can lead to — or worsen — serious health problems, including high blood pressure, autoimmune illnesses, digestive issues, depression and anxiety. So it’s important to manage stress, prevent negative stress levels and speak up if we’re feeling overwhelmed.

You can find some tips for managing stress by clicking on “Feel Better.”