Stress

Hiya im just wondering if anyone gets mav but wouldnt say they are stressed. Im a naturally anxious person but since training in cbt ive learnt techniques to control my automatic thoughts and i now deal with things much better and i try to keep my life as stress free as possible. My thoughts are… even tho i am more capable of staying calm etc does the body hold on to stress for years?
Haha hope this made sense x