Sometimes nobody tells you that your pain isn’t real. They simply behave as though it doesn’t exist. Silent gaslighting and chronic emotional invalidation can leave you feeling invisible, unheard and emotionally erased. Over time, unresolved relational stress can also affect sleep, mood, energy and overall well-being.

When emotional stress builds, it can become physical — affecting your energy, concentration, sleep and ability to make decisions. Here’s what happens when your system becomes overloaded and some simple ways to help yourself regain your footing.