There’s a common belief that being busy means being productive. Many people move from one task to another without stopping, thinking that constant activity is the only way to stay on top of responsibilities. But over time, this nonstop pace often leads to something else entirely—mental fatigue, stress, and a constant feeling of being overwhelmed. …

I, Falak, used to believe stress was something you either had or didn’t. If life was busy, stress was normal. If things slowed down, stress would disappear on its own. But over time, I learned something more honest: stress doesn’t leave just because life pauses. It stays in the body, in habits, and in the …