If we're stressing that anxiety and stress are major health concerns, it’s not to add stress to your life but to help you manage it.

Recently, the surgeon general issued a public health advisory highlighting the damaging emotional and physical effects of chronic parental stress, fueled by long working hours, financial pressures, and the demands of childcare, as well as managing social media, gun violence, and the epidemic of loneliness affecting young people and parents.

No wonder more than 40% of parents say they're stressed most days.

Anxiety and chronic stress can make it difficult to focus at work and may lead to excessive drinking or smoking/vaping, and overeating. It can also fracture family relationships.

A new study finds that for anyone age 70 and younger, stress even increases the risk of dementia.

The good news is researchers found that when the anxiety is resolved, the added dementia risk disappears.

How can you dispel worry and stress?

• Meditate. Take 10 minutes in the morning and evening to do deep breathing exercises and mindful meditation. And check out our book "You: Breathing Easy."

• Exercise. Squeeze time for physical activity into your day — even if it's just taking the stairs or parking your car a 10-minute walk away from work or home. Also, plan for physical activities with your kids or parents, which are good for everyone's body and spirit.

And remember the three P’s that will stop stress from aging you: posse, purpose, and play.