Pursuing education can be both a source of stress and a pathway to reduced stress in the long run. While the demands of earning a degree—especially an advanced one—can often lead to stress and burnout, individuals with higher education typically experience less stress over time due to greater financial stability. However, intellectual stress is not limited to education; it also includes recognizing stressors unique to each person’s mental and cognitive challenges.

In the intellectual domain of stress, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, DNP, explore how education impacts stress levels, the distinct intellectual stressors faced by women and men, and how overthinking stress can worsen its effect. They also discuss how to differentiate between stressors we can and cannot control and share strategies—both positive and negative—for managing intellectual stress and fostering a healthier mindset.