Stress and anxiety damage

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I was a little concerned I feel that I have been doing that to my mind and body for many years, and at 37 I often feel I can't ''keep up'' with a fast paced life or environment, I still consider myself highly intelligent with a very sharp long term memory, yet I feel a little ''rusty'' or ''process'' and move a little slower compared to some of the younger kids I work with, is it getting older or just a Aspie Neurology? the other issue is I have read that having Covid19 can affect Neurological function, I feel delayed in certain ways or immature at 37 yet at times my brain feels 57 or 67

I believe I've read that those of us on the Spectrum are likely to experience stress. Decades of stress probably is not good for our health.

I still feel very intelligent and sharp with long term memory but can't take on a lot, for example I recently started a job today at Dunkin Donuts, then I am busy at home with my father and dog, then have to settle down at night to be up for 9am so I get up at 8am, I am hard on myself because I mostly work with younger people or early 20's and they move much more quicker or don't burn out quickly, do you think though having Covid19 added more issues?

Cholesterol analogy: A person with lowish LDL (bad cholesterol) and low HDL (good cholesterol) can be just as much a heart attack risk as somebody with highish LDL and high HDL. One counteracts the other. So stress and anxiety alone won't "ruin" you. Something is off if you feel like your brain is aged decades past your physical age. Maybe reduce demands? get more sleep? something...?

I'm very fast and have a good memory FOR MY AGE. I don't stand a chance against a 20 year old. It's a good thing I am patient and wise. (actually I am not very patient in general, but wisdom helps there) I don't feel like my brain is old. I get nine hours of sleep a night. I'm a heavy and fast thinker and need more sleep than most people.

I'm highly anxious in part b/c I am hypersensitive/hyperaware and less avoidant. I'm hopeful for balance: That the benefits and rewards of being highly involved (less avoidant) outweigh the detriments of the high anxiety. Kind of like the person who exercises a lot and can eat more calories. My ASD BFF is highly avoidant and therefore less anxious. I suppose those balance each other. Kind of like the person who exercises less and eats fewer calories. ----Rather than stress about whether stress will harm me, I look to do what I can to reduce and manage it, and accept the risks relative to my lifestyle choices. Still, I wonder what a cortisol reader (or whichever relevant bio marker) would show, like folks with diabetes have for sugar levels.

Wishing your brain recovers its youthfulness.