Stress and anxiety are often used interchangeably, but they’re not the same — and understanding the difference matters. While stress actually can be helpful in short bursts, anxiety can take a serious toll on your mental and physical health. With 42 million Americans living with anxiety — and nearly half of Gen Z reporting the feeling — it’s time to unpack what’s normal, what’s not and how to cope. In this episode, we explore why anxiety is on the rise and practical strategies to help you feel more in control.

Expert: Dr. Olivia Tomasco, Primary Care Physician

Notable topics covered:

• How to tell the difference between stress and anxiety
• When stress can be beneficial — and when it becomes harmful
• Fight, flight … freeze? What happens when you retreat inward
• Digital overload and social media: The new anxiety triggers
• Are some people naturally more anxious?
• Coping tricks everyone should know, including the truth about the sleepy girl mocktail
• Self-care, therapy, medications: Options for managing anxiety disorders
• The role of your primary care provider in supporting mental health
• OCD and anxiety: How they’re connected
• How to know when it’s time to ask for help — and where to start
• Common myths about stress and anxiety that need to go away

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Wondering whether your exercise routine is hitting the mark? You’re not alone. Most of us leave P.E. class behind without ever really learning how to work out as adults. In this episode, we break down what counts as exercise, how much you need and why intensity matters. From everyday activities to structured workouts, learn what truly moves the needle for your health and fitness. Plus, practical tips for tracking progress and staying consistent — without overcomplicating things.

Expert: Dr. Jonathan Zalamea, Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician

Notable topics covered:

• Physical activity vs. exercise: What’s the difference?
• Walking the dog, cleaning the house, yardwork — do they count?
• How heart rate plays into exercise intensity and why that matters
• It’s not all cardio — the value of strength training
• Exercise isn’t the only wellness factor that impacts your fitness
• Tips for staying motivated for exercise
• New to the gym? What to try first
• Fitness tracking: The good, the bad, the fixation
• Tips for recovering between workouts
• What to do if pain or injury sets you back

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Move over, protein: Fiber is the newest macronutrient darling of the food world. Content creators promoting optimal digestion suggest we maximize fiber intake — “fibermaxxing” — by eating fiber-rich foods with every meal and snack as well as using fiber supplements as needed. The fibermaxxing crowd claims the approach can help with everything from gut health to improved cholesterol and blood sugar levels and may even aid in cancer prevention. Can increased fiber intake and other digestion-related trends, such as the dense bean salad and post-meal walks, really deliver better overall health?

Expert: Dr. Michael Allen, primary care physician

Notable topics:

• What is fiber, and what role does it play in our diet?
• How much fiber you need in a day (you’re probably not getting enough)
• Who needs more fiber, and who needs to moderate their intake?
• How the body reacts when you have too little or too much fiber in your diet
• Is fibermaxxing a safe trend?
• The role hydration plays when increasing fiber intake
• Dense bean salad: Is it a healthy option?
• Can taking a walk after eating really help with your digestion and blood sugar levels?
• How to safely start increasing your fiber intake

If you enjoy these kinds of conversations, be sure to subscribe. And for more topics like this, visit our blog at houstonmethodist.org/blog.