"Stress is a normal part of life, but when it becomes chronic, it affects far more than mental health," Dr. Bayard says. Healthy gut bacteria become imbalanced: Long-term stress can also impact the amount of beneficial gut bacteria your body produces, while allowing less helpful bacteria to grow. And so the cycle begins — with stress worsening gut health and poor gut health leading to more stress and inflammation. Common stressors include work, finances, caregiving, relationships, health concerns, major life changes, and lack of time for self-care. "Sharing these concerns with a healthcare provider can help identify patterns and develop healthy coping strategies," Dr. Bayard says.