You might intellectually grasp that stress is bad for you but not understand how heightened levels of cortisol — a hormone released from chronic stress — can negatively affect your body's ability to function.

Physical illness: If you're constantly getting sick, psychological stress might be to blame. Scientists are currently researching the link between chronic stress and a compromised immune system; some studies have shown that certain stress hormones secreted by the body affect the thymus's ability to stimulate and coordinate white blood cell activity, a major influence in your body's ability to ward off illness.

Heart disease: After a recent Dutch study examined cortisol levels among the elderly, researchers found that stress significantly increases your chance of having cardiovascular issues, namely heart disease.

Obesity: Stress-induced weight gain is a real issue for millions of Americans who turn to food for solace. Chronic stress eaters tend to choose unhealthy foods, even when they're not hungry. Finding new places to channel nervous or stressed energy beyond snacking — or worse, binging — can dramatically alter an overeater's relationship with food.

Keep reading for more ways stress wreaks havoc on your body.

Even if you're not a dessert junkie, you might be shocked at some of the everyday foods that pile on the sugar. According to the American Heart Association, most women should be consuming no more than 100 calories from sugar per day, or about 24 grams (6 teaspoons of sugar). If you chow down on the following foods regularly, it's time to opt for a healthier alternative.

Spaghetti sauce: One cup of jarred marinara sauce from the store contains 14.5 grams of sugar. Instead of buying the store-bought stuff, up the nutritional value and lower the sugar content naturally with this light and tasty raw tomato basil sauce, perfect for a refreshing Spring supper.

Juice: Robert Lustig, a pediatrician at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital has said "juice is just like soda . . . there is no difference." It's not surprising that fruit juice is filled with sugar, but even a glass of V8 vegetable juice has 8 grams of sugar per serving, and some store-bought green juices contain a large amount of apple juice. Grab your blender or juicer and go for a leafy green smoothie instead of a sugar-laden beverage. There's no need to drink all your sugar and calories for the day in one sitting.

Bread: Bread may seem like a strange place to find sugar, but two slices of whole wheat bread have 4 grams of sugar. Opt for stuffing all your sandwich fillings into a large whole wheat pita that only has 0.5 grams of sugar.

Keep reading for two more surprising foods loaded with sugar.

Whether you're prepping for a 5K or you're ready for race day, this playlist will help you rock out on your run and keep motivated. Each song 140 bpm — the perfect tempo to achieve a 11-minute mile. Subscribe to the Spotify playlist, then keep reading for the full track list.

Even if you won't be in the sea of humans at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival this year, bring the spirit of the festival to your next workout! Here are 20 upbeat tunes from some of the talented artists taking the Coachella stage, which will help keep you feeling motivated from your warmup all the way through your cooldown. Subscribe to the Spotify playlist and keep reading for the full list of songs.

According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery, more than 28 million Americans have some form of hearing loss, and about one-third of it is caused by noise. Unfortunately, many concertgoers don't realize that the music they love is contributing to this statistic.

Loud rock shows are between 110 decibels and 120 decibels and can be as high as 140 in front of the speakers. The scary truth is that prolonged exposure to noise as low as 85 decibels can cause permanent damage to ears. If you check out a lot of live shows, then listen up. The following tips will help keep your ears in top shape.

Scope the scene: When you first check out the venue, take a peek to see where the speakers are. You might be tempted to creep your way up toward the stage to get as close as possible to the action, but the reason that area isn't as highly populated is because people are trying to protect their hearing. Farther back in the crowd is the better option, but if you're dead set on being close to the stage, then show up early to find a spot in the center.

Invest in earplugs: Many people think that wearing earplugs would hinder their ability to enjoy the show, when in fact it's quite the opposite. High-quality plugs block out nasty background noise and help you focus on the music. Don't worry if the investment in custom-fitted earplugs is out of your budget; ETY Plugs ($13) can help too. These reduce noise levels by approximately 20 decibels.

Go outside when possible: Since it's easier on your ears, check out live music outside. If you're in at small club or indoor venue, the sound doesn't have as far to travel. When you listen to your favorite band outdoors, the noise isn't highly concentrated, making it way easier on your ears. With music-festival season kicking off, seeing shows at outdoor venues is a more viable option than ever!

Heading out for a day hike can offer a welcome change of scenery to your workout. But a calming trek chatting with a group of friends doesn't always offer the cardio your body needs for the day. Before you head out this weekend, take the following quick tips to make your workout more active.

1. Plan ahead: Heading to the trail without any sort of plan most likely leads to an easy, leisurely hike. If that's not what you're looking for, do your research. Ask active friends and co-workers, look online for the best hikes in your area, and be sure to find a day hike that has more than just a beautiful view. The terrain should not be completely flat (if possible) and the hike should take at minimum an hour to complete.
2. Break for extra exercise: When your legs need a rest, drop to the ground for five minutes of core exercises or flow through a series of active Sun Salutations. Instead of taking a break and just sitting down to relax, let this time be an opportunity to pump up your heart rate even more.
3. Mix the pace: Moving at one steady speed can be relaxing, but changing things up will keep things feeling fresh and active. The majority of your hike can be a moderately paced walk, but alternate with short bursts of running. Space out a few alarms on your phone, so you know when it's time to pick up the pace and start running. Even a one- or two-minute run will help you burn more calories.

Hopefully the sun has perked up where you live, but if you've got to stay indoors all weekend, you can still work out with this 10-minute Tabata workout.

Heading out for a day hike can offer a welcome change of scenery to your workout. But a calming trek chatting with a group of friends doesn't always offer the cardio your body needs for the day. Take the following quick tips to make your Spring workout more active.

1. Plan ahead: Heading to the trail without any sort of plan most likely leads to an easy, leisurely hike. If that's not what you're looking for, do your research. Ask active friends and co-workers, look online for the best hikes in your area, and be sure to find a day hike that has more than just a beautiful view. The terrain should not be completely flat (if possible) and the hike should take at minimum an hour to complete.
2. Break for extra exercise: When your legs need a rest, drop to the ground for five minutes of core exercises or flow through a series of active Sun Salutations. Instead of taking a break and just sitting down to relax, let this time be an opportunity to pump up your heart rate even more.
3. Mix the pace: Moving at one steady speed can be relaxing, but changing things up will keep things feeling fresh and active. The majority of your hike can be a moderately paced walk, but alternate with short bursts of running. Space out a few alarms on your phone, so you know when it's time to pick up the pace and start running. Even a one- or two-minute run will help you burn more calories.

Hopefully the sun has perked up where you live, but if you've got to stay indoors, you can still work out with this 40-minute treadmill hike to prep for Spring adventures.

Many meat- and dairy-eaters can't fathom how a vegan manages to fit in the recommended amount of protein into her daily diet. This full day of delicious and nutritious vegan meals is proof that plant-powered high-protein food is possible. These four delicious recipes boast over 56 grams of protein total, which is more than enough for the average woman's diet.

Breakfast: Apple Cinnamon Overnight Smoothie — 15.6 Grams

No need for scrambling around the kitchen first thing in the morning. Blend up this overnight apple flaxseed smoothie and enjoy it the following morning stress-free.

Lunch: Lentils With Quinoa — 18.7 Grams

For a hearty lunch, cook up a big bowl of cumin-spiced lentils with quinoa, a protein-packed meal that also brings 19.5 grams of fiber to the table.

Keep reading for the rest of the meal plan.

If it feels like you're constantly battling a cold, a weakened immune system might be to blame. There are some preventative measures you can take and a few lifestyle changes that will help strengthen your body's ability to fight back against pesky germs and keep you feeling healthy.

1. Drink green tea: Green tea can help you lose weight and de-stress, but it has also been linked to preventing the flu. In a study, Japanese children who drank green tea six times a week were less likely to catch a bug than their peers.
2. Work out consistently: According to the American College of Sports Medicine, people who exercise on a regular basis report fewer colds than their inactive peers. Studies have shown a 25 to 50 percent decrease in sick time for people who take part in moderate exercise for at least 45 minutes most days of the week.
3. Promote positivity: When you're feeling down and negative, you might be doing more harm to your body than you realize. Keeping your attitude light and happy can do more than help you stop stressing; optimism also boosts your immunity.
4. Keep your sweet tooth in check: Naturopath practitioner Dr. Holly Lucille explains that too much sugar is one of the biggest problems that contributes to being "immuno-compromised or susceptible to catching flus." Limiting your sugar intake will help toughen up your immune system for the long haul.

Keep reading for more ways to prevent bugs and boost your immunity.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to take a golf lesson from PGA apprentice Emily Edens of Get Golf Ready, a program that aims to teach beginners, in just a handful of lessons, everything they need to know to play golf. If you're worried about heading to the course for the first time, Emily insists that there's "no need to be intimidated." Golf is a sport dominated by men, but more than 60 percent of the students who enroll in Get Golf Ready are women. If you've always wanted to try golf, these tips will prep you for your first lesson.

1. Dress the part: Certain public courses will let you play in jeans and a t-shirt, but nearly all private courses have a strict dress code. It varies from course to course, so call ahead or go online to see what you'll need. When in doubt, khakis and a simple collared shirt do the trick.
2. No need to overinvest: There's no need to head to the first lesson fitted in fresh gear with brand-new clubs. Check with the course ahead of time to make sure clubs are available to rent or borrow, and be creative with the clothes already in your closet. Sneakers will suffice in place of golf shoes, and don't worry about grabbing a golf glove ahead of time. After a few times out on the course, you'll determine if golf is an investment you're ready to make.
3. Don't expect cardio: Your arms will be a little sore after your first time, but your golf lesson alone won't offer you cardio for the day. Instead of waiting to go to the gym after, get in your heart-pumping workout a few hours before your lesson. Since you'll have taken care of stretching after your workout, you won't have to waste time during your lesson. This way, you'll be able to get down to business and focus on instruction.

Keep reading for two more tips for your very first lesson.

If it feels like you're constantly battling a cold, a weakened immune system might be to blame. Making a few changes to your lifestyle can help strengthen your body's ability to fight back against pesky germs and keep you feeling healthy.

1. Drink green tea: Green tea can help you lose weight and de-stress, but it has also been linked to preventing the flu. In a study, Japanese children who drank green tea six times a week were less likely to catch a bug than their peers.
2. Work out consistently: According to the American College of Sports Medicine, people who exercise on a regular basis report fewer colds than their inactive peers. Studies have shown a 25 to 50 percent decrease in sick time for people who take part in moderate exercise for at least 45 minutes most days of the week.
3. Promote positivity: When you're feeling down and negative, you might be doing more harm to your body than you realize. Keeping your attitude light and happy can do more than help you stop stressing; optimism also boosts your immunity.
4. Keep your sweet tooth in check: Naturopath practitioner Dr. Holly Lucille explains that too much sugar is one of the biggest problems that contributes to being "immuno-compromised or susceptible to catching flus." Limiting your sugar intake will help toughen up your immune system for the long haul.

Keep reading for more ways to prevent bugs and boost your immunity.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to take a golf lesson from PGA apprentice Emily Edens of Get Golf Ready, a program that aims to teach beginners, in just a handful of lessons, everything they need to know to play golf.

If you're worried about heading to the course for the first time, Emily insists that there's "no need to be intimidated." Golf is a sport dominated by men, but more than 60 percent of the students who enroll in Get Golf Ready are women. If you've always wanted to try golf, these tips will prep you for your first lesson.

1. Dress the part: Certain public courses will let you play in jeans and a t-shirt, but nearly all private courses have a strict dress code. It varies from course to course, so call ahead or go online to see what you'll need. When in doubt, khakis and a simple collared shirt do the trick.
2. No need to overinvest: There's no need to head to the first lesson fitted in fresh gear with brand-new clubs. Check with the course ahead of time to make sure clubs are available to rent or borrow, and be creative with the clothes already in your closet. Sneakers will suffice in place of golf shoes, and don't worry about grabbing a golf glove ahead of time. After a few times out on the course, you'll determine if golf is an investment you're ready to make.
3. Don't expect cardio: Your arms will be a little sore after your first time, but your golf lesson alone won't offer you cardio for the day. Instead of waiting to go to the gym after, get in your heart-pumping workout a few hours before your lesson. Since you'll have taken care of stretching after your workout, you won't have to waste time during your lesson. This way, you'll be able to get down to business and focus on instruction.

Keep reading for two more tips for your very first lesson.