6: Transforming Your Perception of Stress for Optimal Health

Aug 16, 2023

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Have you ever wondered how much of an impact stress can have on your health? While chronic stress can have detrimental effects on our health, the benefits of “good” stress are often overlooked. Transforming your body's stress response into a powerful adaptation tool is essential for optimizing your overall health.

Welcome to another episode of the Primal Shift podcast, where host Michael Kummer dives into the impact stress has on our health, and covers how to protect yourself through resilience and stress management techniques. He sheds light on the insidious effects of chronic stress, from nutrient depletion to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and sleep disturbances. He also shares practical techniques for stress management, including breathing exercises, journaling, and reconnecting with nature.

What we discuss:

(0:00:07) - Manage stress for optimal health

(0:09:26) - Effective stress management techniques

(0:17:33) - Improving stress resilience with diet

(0:21:09) - Reducing stress through simplification

Key Takeaways:

Acute stress is crucial for our survival. It helps us react quickly and make the right decisions in dangerous situations. For example, when we hear a car approaching while crossing a street, our initial stress response is important in helping us avoid harm. It's important not to suppress or disable this stress response, as it plays a vital role in keeping us safe.
Having an imbalance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in our bodies can affect our nervous system. However, we have the ability to control and change this balance through breathing exercises, which can directly impact and influence our nervous system. By practicing simple breathing techniques, we can shift out of the fight or flight response and induce a state of relaxation.
Physical touch has a direct impact on our nervous system. It can help shift our body from the fight or flight response to the parasympathetic mode, which promotes relaxation. Physical touch signals our body that we are safe, and this reassurance can be enough to alleviate stress, calm down, and aid in recovery from a stressful situation.

Learn more:

One of the many benefits of ice baths is that submerging yourself in freezing cold water helps you learn to better manage stressful situations. I cold plunge multiple times per week.
Apollo Nuero is a device that uses gentle vibrations to help balance your nervous sytem. Read my Apollo Neruo review for more details on why it works and how I integrate it into my routine.
I also took a deep dive in the science behind Apollo.
Check out my roundup of the best gadgets for stress relief to learn about other devices that can help calm your nervous system.