Types of Stressors That Are Actually Good For Us
Mar 21, 2021
There are certain types of stressors, which in small amounts can actually provide a benefit to the body and this process is known as hormesis.
One of the easiest examples to explain how this works is strength training. When you lift weights, you are essentially creating micro trauma to the muscle tissue which forces your body to respond by building more muscle. The same is true for bones, as weight bearing exercises will also improve bone density.
So what are some other common examples of hormesis?
Hot/Cold Exposure
Over the last 15 years I have incorporated a weekly infrared sauna session into my healthy aging routine. Besides feeling fantastic, there are cellular changes that occur when your internal body temperature is raised past a certain number of degrees. It’s essentially mimicking a fever and it creates a host of chemical changes that are very good for your cardiovascular system and your immune system.
I often follow my sauna sessions up with a cold shower (or even better - a cold water bath). This is a sure fire way to feel energized and it is also great for your autonomic nervous system. Anything good for your autonomic nervous system is good for the rest of your body!
Fasting
Fasting has been practised for centuries for both health and religious reasons and is something that I began experimenting with approximately eight years ago. Since that time, I have consistently incorporated some version of fasting into my weekly routine.
There are many different styles of fasting starting with a beginner intermittent fast that lasts approximately 14 to 16 hours (1-3 times per week) all the way to a strict water fast that lasts 5 to 7 days. If you wish to learn more about fasting, there are many great books that I would recommend written by leading health authorities such as: Valter Longo, Dr. Jason Fung, Ben Greenfield and Dave Asprey.
People fast for many different reasons. For me, my focus is on blood sugar and insulin regulation, as well as, body composition and lean muscle mass as these factors help to ensure I achieve my goal of healthy aging.
If you are keen to learn more about fasting, insulin regulation, hot/cold exposure and a host of other healthy aging tools, I cover them all in greater detail in my online program, The Longevity Roadmap. This program only launches three times a year with our next date of April 26th quickly approaching. If you would like to learn more, click here.