Stress, especially chronic stress, can raise cortisol levels which can result in an inflammatory response which can present as things like joint pain. I also believe there is some sort of emotional connection from cortisol and/or stress that results in poor food or health choices. I think I read somewhere that in the presence of cortisol, your body will convert more energy to fat and something else having to do with an elevated blood sugar, bit I can’t remember.
Exercise can lower cortisol levels even if stress is still present.
I’m not a doctor, herbalist or anybody in any sort of medical field. I just read a lot of books and ask a lot of questions. I could be totally wrong.