One of the most effective—and often overlooked—resources for managing stress is social support. The steady presence of people who listen, encourage, advise, or help in practical ways can change both how you understand a stressful event and how your body responds to it.

When stress hits in the middle of a packed day, the usual advice—take a long walk, book a massage, or spend an hour meditating—can feel unrealistic. The good news is that stress relief does not have to be time-consuming to be effective