Why Small Stressors Can Actually Be Good For Us

Jan 1, 2021

Explore how small stressors, like exercise and temperature extremes, can boost immunity and resilience. Learn about the concept of hormesis, where minor stressors promote healing and strength, just as plants thrive under mild stress. Discover the power of hot and cold therapies, and how practices like fasting and strength training can enhance health. Dive into the nutritional advantages of wild plants and their phytonutrients, which draw parallels to human benefits derived from mild stressors.

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INSIGHT

Hormesis and Stress

Hormesis is a process where small stressors activate the body's healing response, like muscle growth after exercise.
Large stressors, however, can be detrimental, so moderation is key.

ADVICE

Hormetic Practices

Try practices like cryotherapy, sauna, and cold plunges for potential health benefits.
Combine hot and cold exposure for an enhanced hormetic effect.

ANECDOTE

Finnish Sauna Rituals

Ben Greenfield describes observing Finnish sauna rituals, which involve alternating between sauna and cold plunges.
This demonstrates the cultural practice of combining hot and cold therapies.

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Why Small Stressors Can Actually Be Good For Us | This episode is sponsored by Uqora

We know that chronic, long-term stress can wreak havoc on our health. However, short-term and/or mild stressors can have the exact opposite effect. For instance, when you practice resistance training by lifting heavy weights and inflicting damage on your muscles, your body responds by repairing the damaged fibers, thus creating bigger and stronger muscles. This is called hormesis, a phenomenon that demonstrates the beneficial effects of low-level stressors. A similar process called xenohormesis also occurs in plants, making them stronger and richer in phytochemicals that are good for us. Dr. Hyman recently spoke about these topics in his conversations with Ben Greenfield and Dr. Frank Lipman.

Ben Greenfield is a human performance consultant, speaker, and New York Times bestselling author of 13 books, including the wildly popular titles, Beyond Training and Boundless. A former collegiate tennis, water polo, and volleyball player, as well as a bodybuilder, 13-time Ironman triathlete, and professional obstacle course racer, Ben has been voted by the NSCA as America’s top Personal Trainer and by Greatist as one of the top 100 Most Influential People In Health and Fitness. Ben hosts the highly popular fitness, nutrition, and wellness website bengreenfieldfitness.com, a site with over a million monthly visitors, featuring articles, podcasts, and product reviews. His latest book, Boundless, is all about creating more energy to live the life of optimal health and happiness you deserve.

Dr. Frank Lipman is recognized as a vocal pioneer of integrative and Functional Medicine (or what he calls “good medicine”). Dr. Lipman is the founder of Eleven Eleven Wellness Center and the Chief Medical Officer at The Well. He is a sought-after international speaker and the best-selling author of six books—How to Be Well, The New Health Rules, Young & Slim for Life, Revive and Total Renewal—and his newest book, The New Rules of Aging Well: A Simple Program for Immune Resilience, Strength, and Vitality.

This episode is sponsored by Uqora. If you’ve struggled with urinary tract infections, check out Uqora’s potent line of products to promote better urinary health. Right now they’re offering Doctor’s Farmacy listeners 30% off when you go to uqora.com/doctor

Find Dr. Hyman’s full-length conversation with Ben Greenfield, “How To Have Boundless Energy” here: https://DrMarkHyman.lnk.to/BenGreenfield

Find Dr. Hyman’s full-length conversation with Dr. Frank Lipman, “The Keys To Aging Well” here: https://DrMarkHyman.lnk.to/DrFrankLipman