If you've felt the stress of the last few years, you wouldn't be alone. Whether it's from work, school, family or financial issues, stress is a part of life for almost everyone.

Fortunately, Dr. Elissa Epel, Professor of Epidemiology and Psychology at the University of California in San Francisco, has some scientifically-proven advice for managing it better. In today's episode, she joins me to discuss the mental and physical effects of stress, and how the right approach can make all the difference in managing it.

Highlights from our conversation:

• Understanding stress, how it works, and its effects on our lives
• Differentiating between good and bad types of stress
• How to cope and live with stress
• Leveraging the connection between the body and the mind to build resilience
• Epel's unique 'prescription' to combating stress over seven days