According to Varnada Karriem-Norwood, “Ongoing, chronic stress can cause or exacerbate many serious health problems, including heart disease, strokes, and obesity.” These physical illnesses can tremendously interfere people’s ability to live a normal life. For some people, stress also causes some changes in their bodies, worsening their existing health issues, by overeating, smoking, amplifying use of alcohol and drugs, and other bad habits. As a result, they increase their odds of living a shorter life span.